With an objective to revive the extinct traditional art and culture and women-rural sports, the Madhumaya Panigrahi Foundation (MPF), a socio-cultural organisation of Ganjam district, held a preparatory meeting at the Khallikote College Ground here on Sunday.
The foundation, among other issues, prepared a blueprint for celebration of “Kumara Punei Jahna lo-2017” which would be held at the Diamond Jublee Town Hall of BMC here on October 5. A galaxy of artists, sports persons, singers, celebrities are likely to participate to encourage and inspire the local artists. A total of 400 students from different schools of the silk city and its adjoining areas have actively participated in different events. In order to popularize women and rural-based traditional arts and sports, such as Daudi Dian, Khapara Dian, Thia Puchi, Basa Puchi, Hulahuli and Kaudi Khela and Sankha Phunka competitions were held with the active participation of school students from different parts of the district.
Participating in the meet, Odisha’s first Dronacharya Award Winner Braja Bhusan Mohanty said that Ganjam district is acclaimed for its great and rich heritage and culture. Its numerous folk forms are unique.” He praised the continuous efforts of MPF to revive some of the old folk dances and sports of the district particularly to encourage and motivate the rural women to retain the long traditions alive. Well known weight-lifter Sachindra Majhi graced the meet as guest of honour. Among others, chief coordinator of MPF Prafulla Jagannath Padhi, festival coordinator A Tripathi, Balaji Patra, Dr Mihir Kumar Tripathy, Dillip Kumar Choudhury, Biswanath Panigrahi, Dr Rajendra Panda, Krupasindhu Sahu, Purnna Chandra Sahu, Dharitri Sahu, Madhav Patra, well known dance master Reenarani Sahu, Krushna Nayak, Jagdish Sahu, Sudipta Panigrahi and sports jury Bijay Adhikari, Santoshini Gouda, Dipika Maharana, Sanjib Gouda, Sankar Patra and Binayak Hota were present.