Bhubaneswar: This year, Odisha’s Shelduck Folk Carnival will be themed around Ganjam district. The main focus of the carnival will be seminars on Ganjam and its contribution to the state’s culture.
The five-day carnival will commence on December 8 at the ODI ART Centre in Barkul.
The ODI ART Centre is a unique art complex, nestled on the bank of Chilika. Spreading over five acres, the centre aims at showcasing the rich folk and tribal art heritage.
Bringing a variety of folk dance art forms together, this year’s carnival will feature Prahlad Natak, Bharat Leela, Sakhi Nacha, Nagha Nata and Das Kathia. Besides, there will be stalls serving the street food of Ganjam.
Culture of Odisha, lake culture and an international photo exhibition on lake culture will also be organised.
The carnival will be inaugurated by the Tourism and Culture Minister Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi. “The main attractions this year are the Padma awardees, who will be felicitated at the carnival. Playwriter Rajat Kumar Kar, Ghoda Nacha Folk Dancer Utsab Charan Das and sand artist Sudarshan Sahoo will be felicitated,” said Zahid Akhtar, chairman of museum development and promotion of Purvasha Folk and Tribal Art Museum, which also exists in the premises of ODIART centre.
Like previous years, there will be matka race, tug of war, ‘Huluhuli’, ‘Sankha’, ‘Jhoti & Chita’, Chilika cuisine, Kabaddi, ‘Poonchi Khela’ competition for women. There will be kite making and flying competition, painting, quiz, talent competition and ‘Khapara Khela’ for School children.
A natural colour folk painting competition will be organised as well. Das Kathia, Khanjani and Dhuduki performances will be staged in the galleries for all five days.
Every afternoon, there will be a cultural procession with masquerade on Ganjam theme. The valediction ceremony will showcase a fashion show in collaboration with NIFT, Bhubaneswar.
