Bhubaneswar: Odisha State Museum in Bhubaneswar will remain open till 9 pm every day for the three-day 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention beginning on Wednesday.
Sharing this information, Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said the state museum usually remains open till 5.30 pm every day.
However, the government has decided to keep the museum open at night till January 12 for the upcoming Pravasi Bharatiya Divas to be held in the state capital, he said.
Stating that the state government has made all arrangements to make the mega event a grand success, Suraj said the convention is scheduled from January 8 to 10 in the capital city.
A number of programmes will be held during the grand NRI event hosted by Odisha for the first time. In an effort to showcase the rich and vibrant art and culture of Odisha to delegates from across the globe, the Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department is set to organise Classical dance and music festival programmes in Bhubaneswar from January 7 to 11 coinciding with the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, which will be attended by more than 3,000 NRIs and people of Indian origin.
Classical dance and music are integral to our cultural identity and heritage. The Rajarani Music Festival, Mukteswar Odissi Dance Festival and International Odissi Dance Festival are being organised to showcase our rich cultural legacy.
These festivals will coincide with the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrations in the city, providing an opportunity for guests from across the country and abroad to experience the grandeur of our classical art forms, Suraj said.
The five-day event will showcase classical dance and music performances. While the International Odissi Dance Festival will take place at Rabindra Mandap, the Rajarani Music Festival will be held on the premises of the Rajarani Temple and the Mukteswar Odissi Dance Festival will be organised at the Mukteswar Temple premises.