New Delhi [India], January 21: Odisha’s rich folk heritage was celebrated through music, movement, and traditional theatre at “Bhanja Mati Ra Mahak – A Journey Through Odisha’s Folk Rhythms,” a two-day cultural festival that paid tribute to the creative soil of Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja. The festival showcased the depth and diversity of Odisha’s indigenous art forms, performed by over 50 folk artists from Berhampur, Ganjam district.
The festival was organised by Anwesha Kala Kendra, Odisha, in association with Sundar Odisha Foundation, New Delhi.
Day One: Classical Roots and Theatrical Legacy
The first day of the festival was graced by Shri Jatin Das ji, Padma Bhushan awardee and eminent artist, and Shri Charudutta Panigrahi ji, distinguished technocrat, author, policy thinker, and visionary. Their presence added intellectual and artistic gravitas to the evening.
Day One set a powerful cultural tone with traditional folk dance presentations, followed by a compelling performance of Prahlad Nataka, Odisha’s iconic open-air theatrical tradition that blends devotion, dialogue, and dramatic expression. The performance, under the guidance of Guru Shri Arun Parida ji, captivated the audience with its spiritual narrative and centuries-old storytelling style.
Day Two: Ritual, Rhythm, and Celebration
The second day featured a vibrant line-up of folk performances, including Bagha Nacho, Chadhya Chadhyani, Nabadurga, and Dholokirtana, reflecting Odisha’s ritualistic, celebratory, and martial traditions. These performances were led under the mentorship of Guru Shri Sudhansu Shekhar Sattpathy ji.
Day Two was graced by Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat ji, Hon’ble Minister of Culture and Tourism, Government of India, as the Chief Guest, along with Dr. Prof. K. G. Suresh ji, Director, Indian Habitat Centre, and Shri Niharika Sharma ji, Founder, Anveshka Foundation.
While addressing the gathering, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat ji emphasised the importance of preserving India’s folk traditions and ensuring that grassroots artists receive national platforms and institutional support. He appreciated the organisers for presenting authentic regional art forms and for bringing Odisha’s living cultural heritage to the national stage.
Artists Who Brought the Festival Alive
The performances were brought to life by dedicated folk artists from Berhampur, including:
Tutu Nahak, Purni Sattam Swain, Reshma Swain, Mithun Swain, Babula Parida, Anil Behera, Prem Chand Behera, Pankaj Behera, Maheswar Behera, Ramesh Chandra Behera, N. Rohini Reddy, Mitu Parida, Pabitra Behera, Nilanchal Bank, Debendra Behera, Sambit Behera, among others—each carrying forward Odisha’s oral traditions, rhythms, and ritual expressions passed down through generations.
Anchoring and Curation
The programme across both days was thoughtfully curated and seamlessly compered by Anwesha Brahma, ensuring narrative continuity and cultural context for the audience.
Voices from the Organisers
Speaking on the occasion, Sangram Dhar, Founder, Sundar Odisha Foundation, said:
“Bhanja Mati Ra Mahak is our humble effort to take Odisha’s folk soul beyond geographical boundaries. These art forms are not performances alone—they are living histories of our communities, beliefs, and collective memory.”
Usharani Mahapatra ji, Founder, Anwesha Kala Kendra, added:
“The artists from Berhampur carry traditions nurtured over generations. Presenting them on a national platform like Delhi is both a responsibility and a celebration of Odisha’s cultural resilience and creativity.”
The festival attracted cultural practitioners, scholars, members of the Odia diaspora, students, and art enthusiasts, reinforcing Delhi’s role as a significant platform for celebrating India’s regional and indigenous cultural expressions.
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