The Raja Parba is a unique Odia festival that worships womanhood, fertility and regeneration. With the onset of monsoon, the festival brings joy, happiness and all hues of life, said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, inaugurating the virtual celebration of the festival ‘Global Raja Parba 2021’ by the Odia Society UAE on June 13.
Patnaik said, “The Odia society in the United Arab Emirates is a vibrant organisation providing an enriching experience to all Odias living in that country.
The effort to relive the socio-cultural life of the motherland in an exotic land is highly satisfying. I appreciate the endeavour of the UAE Odia society to connect people to our cultural roots.” “My heartiest congratulations to all. I wish the celebration all success,” the Chief Minister added. Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan thanked for the celebration and emphasised the Raja Parba as an integral part of Odia culture. Eminent writer Dr Pratibha Ray mentioned that whoever forgets the soil and culture is a lost person as he has forgotten his identity.
SJTA Chief Administrator Dr Krishan Kumar said the festival is the worship of Bhoomi Maata (Mother Earth) which he described as the biggest respect for nature. Noted Odia actor Kuna Tripathi said that today's generation needs to be committed to Odia culture and suggested that it should be protected.
Parents only can teach and handover the Odia cultural traditions and language to their children. UAE Odia Society chief Dr Chandrasekhar Khuntia, thanked the people from Odisha, who participated from all over the world. The message was shared for coming together to celebrate this great culture and tradition.
The programme which was celebrated with the efforts of Dr Khuntia, Rajashree Mohanty, Dr Manas Pradhan, Chandra Sekhar Dash and other members of the Odia society was attended by Odias from more than 21 countries in large numbers. They also actively participated in the cultural programme of the event. As it was not possible to enjoy the Raja festival in person during the pandemic period, it was planned to celebrate this festival in a new way by the Odia Society UAE team.
The cultural programmes began with the play of conch shells and prayers for Lord Jagannath.
A minute’s silent prayer was offered to the Odias who lost their lives in Covid-19. Later Odia artists from eleven countries sang the Odia song "Banaste dakila gaja" and performed a dance programme. Kalpana Bal, the daughter of devotional singer Bhikari Bal and her daughter radio jockey Swati graced the occasion with rendition of devotional songs on Lord Jagannath.
Odia singer Padmini Panigrahi's song "Jhuma jhuma lagte aaj jhuma Jhuma", the message of coronavirus awareness through the amazing humour of S Bhavani Babu from Georgia (USA), the song of Arya Priya Dev of UK , musical programme of Alok Panda and team from Sambalpur, Two wonderful songs Sabeswara Bhoi, enthralling flute recital by Annada Prasanna Pattanaik, devotional song by Arupananda Das, Dalkhai dance of Sanvika Raut of USA, devotional song rendition by devout doctor couple Rajinder Singh and Dr Kaur from UAE enthralled the audience.
Sand artist Sudam Pradhan was also present. The Lord’s name chanting Madhavanananda Sankritan Mandal of Jamugaon, Nua village, Jagatsinghpur created a spiritual atmosphere.
Greetings were conveyed by Sarat Mohanty from Singapore, Adyasha Mallick from Indonesia, Dr Nalini Pati from Australia, Dr Tanmay Panda from Toronto, Santosh Kumar Mishra and Girija Shankar Padhi, Alok Kumar Panda of Singapore, Dr Manas Pradhan and Arup Das from UAE and all others across the world which filled with everybody with a sense of unparalleled nationalism.