The Chaiti festival and Pallishree Mela of Rayagada district was inaugurated here on Saturday by Women and Child Development Minister Usha Devi as the chief guest.

While the three- day festival is jointly organised by the District Council of Culture (DCC), Rayagada and the Eastern Zone Cultural Council, Kolkata, the two- day Pallishree Mela is sponsored by ORMAS. The valedictory function will be held on December 31.

Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs Secretary Dr Hrushikesh Panda joined as chief speaker. Among others, Koraput MP Jhinna Hikaka, State SC/ST Development Minister lal Bihari Himirika, Gunupur MlA Trinath Gomango, Bissan Cuttack MlA Jagannath Saraka, State Planning Board vice chairperson N Bhaskar Rao, Zilla Parishad chairperson Sujata Mandingi and vice chairperson Shakuntala Nundruka joined the dais as guests.

The meeting was presided over by district Collector Dr Sashi Bhusan Padhi. Thousands of people thronged the venue of the fete and enjoyed several cultural programmes in spite of shivering cold. Tribal dance troupes from Kashipur, Bissam Cuttack, Muniguda,  Koya tribal dance from Malkangiri and Dhap dance from Balangir were appreciated by the audience.

Odishi by Atashi Mishra and Group from Delhi stole the show. People rejoiced other cultural programmes too which included Prince Dance Group from Brahmapur, Para Attam from Tamil Nadu, Animal Mask dance from Ganjam, Ajilani folk dance from Arunachal Pradesh, Paika Akhada from Gajapati, Assamese folk dance, Jodi Sankha from Ganjam, Maa Sarala Ghanta Nrutya from Jagatsinghpur and Ghumura dance from Muniguda. There were 174 stalls to showcase the development achieved by the Government agencies, corporate houses and civil society organisations.