The 3rd Folk Art Day at the district level was observed in virtual mode in Keonjhar on Monday. District Collector Ashish Thackrey, who was the chief guest on the occasion, told that folk art reflects the cultural life of a community but with the development of science and technology, folk art is losing its relevance and is on the verge of extinction.
However, the State Government has come forward with different schemes to preserve the folk art and make it relevant in the modern world, he told. Thackrey further declared that the district Cultural Bhawan will be operational very soon to provide a platform to the artists to develop their skills. ADM Santosh Kumar Naik, District Cultural Officer Sushree Manuswini Rout, DIPRO Sanjib Barik, vice-president, District Folk Artists ' Association Loknath Sahu, eminent Pala Gayak and Sangita Nayak Akademi awardee Govinda Chandra Panigrahi and master of puppet dance and member, Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi Chakradhara Parida among others participated in the virtual meeting and praised the different initiatives taken by the district administration to promote the folk art in the district.