An exhibition of rice cake (pitha) varieties was organised on Sunday under the aegis of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), Baleswar chapter.
As many as 35 participants while participating in the event exhibited their best three home made products and 10 others were felicitated by a selection committee.
The event’s motto is to encourage the home makers who are still preparing old age pithas in their houses.
As many as 24 varieties of pithas were presented by the participants, who were women of various age groups. “Some types of pithas are almost extinct from our dish. They require a lot of patience and skill to prepare them,” said INTACH, Baleswar convenor Himansu Das.
“It was a fun-filled event. A seven-member committee comprising experts from different fields, including Home Science lecturer and Culture Officer, selected the best three as well as 10 others for consolation prizes,” Das said
The first prize winner while received Rs 5,000 cash and runners up Rs 3, 000, the third slot winner was given Rs 2,000 cash. The consolation prize winners were given Rs 500 cash each. Most of the participants expressing their happiness said that it was an opportunity to showcase their talent.
INATCH assistant co –convener Nikunja Bihari Das said the selection was made on three different parameters preparation, design and presentation. The competition was held on only two types of pithas , one is Podo pitha and another Manda pitha since these two pithas are being part of Odia culture which are offered to lord Jagannath during festivals, he added.