Assam Governor JB Patnaik inaugurated a four-day State-level Sankirtan Mahotsav here on Saturday. Addressing the delegate troupes of various States, he said Sankirtan is the cultural heritage of the entire eastern region of the country.
“The Sankirtan performers carry out the true legacy of our heritage and play a vital role in preserving our rich culture,” he said, adding that the State Governments should extend generous assistance to these performers, who have been devoting a major part of their lives to Sankirtan.
Odisha Minister for Tourism and Culture Maheswar Mohanty said there are about 4,000 Sankirtan artists in the State. The State Government has accepted Sankrtan as lok Kala (people’s art form) and the aged artists would be paid monthly pensions and Sankirtan groups would be given financial assistance to promote this art form, he said.
Over 60 groups from Assam, Manipur and West Bengal have converged in this pilgrim city to participate in the Mahotsav. All four sections of Sankirtan like Nadia, Ranighati, Goudia and Odissi would interact among themselves to bring uniformity in the Sankirtan, it is learnt.
A massive Sankirtan programme will be held along the Grand Road (Bada Danda) on Sunday and the performances will encompass the toad from the Singhadwar of the Shree Jagannath Tempel to the Gundicha Temple.
The State Sangeet Natak Akademi has organised the festival. Akademi Secretary Chittaranjan Malia conducted the proceedings of the inaugural session along with other officials.