Mahuri is an important part of 'Gandavaja', a folk art of western Odisha. The Mahuri is a vocal instrument whose melodious sound mesmerises the listener.  This sweet folk instrument is slowly disappearing.  That's why with a new initiative to save it, the 'Bodasambar Mahuri Festival' was organised in the Rajaji Town Hall, Padmapur, on July 24 by the Sangeet Samiti.

Mahuri musicians and fellow artistes from different rural areas took out a procession from the local Bandurga temple and went around the city to reach the festival venue.  Playwright and Professor Kesharanjan Padhan was the chief guest of the event, while NAC Chairperson Savitri Bag, Vice Chairperson Bharti Pattnaik, Niroj Dora, former Information and Public Relations Officer Purunchandra Panigarahi, former Block Chairman Kumarmani Naik, playwright- director Ashok Kumar Bohidar attended as the guests of honor.

President of the Music Society Rajesh Kumar Gurla gave the welcome address, while secretary Ramesh Gurla spoke about the purpose of the programme.  The guests opined that the festival would help protect tradition, simplicity and harmony of the traditional instrument of Gandabaza 'Mahuri'. 

Both senior and junior Mahuri musicians were presented certificates and awards from the institute.  Later, Mahuri musicians performed music based on different rhythms of Gandabaja. 

The Gandabaja performance style of the children artists of Deuli village on the stage mesmerized everyone present. 

Soumaranjan Patnaik, Gopabandhu Sika, Bishram  Meher, Ashwini Patel, Rajkumar Sahu, Giridhari Sahu, Sudam Mahanand, Anjali Parida, Anil Gurla, Anil Biswal, Lalu Naik and Tuna Barik contributed greatly to the entire programme.  Finally, Govardhan Chhatar offered the vote of thanks.