In order to revamp as well as popularise the Odia tradition, the Utkaliya Jhothi Pratisthan (UJP) organised two mega events ‘Jhothi ‘and ‘laxmi Purana Patha’ in association with Nocci Cultural Academy on December 15 here.
Artist Kesu Das, who heads socio-cultural outfit, Baleswari Kala Kendra (BKK), coordinated the events.
As many as 250 women from Baleswar and Mayurbhanj took part in the Jhothi competition, while 50 women participated in the laxmi Purana recitation. A giant Jhothi of about 2 km length and 2 meter width was made by the participants. Tribals and Muslims too participated in the Jhothi competition.
A panel of judges after inspecting all the art works and listening to the recitation of laxmi Puran, felicitated the winners. Among the participants, best 20 from Jhothi art and best three from laxmi Purana reciting were felicitated.
Earlier the Jhothi competition was inaugurated by Baleswar Municipality chairman Alok Sahu. Sub Collector Ram Chandra Palta was the chief guest of the prize giving ceremony.
“We have been organising these mega events since 2014. The objective is to revive and popularize our Odia cultures and traditions,” said Kesu Das.
“A record number of 1, 00, 240 laxmi feet were drawn by the participants in 5 hours while the target was one lakh. We aspire to register our achievement in the limca book,” he added.
“We tend to forget and ignore our rich culture and tradition due to a modern and busy life style. Since time immemorial, the drawing of Jhothi and recitation of laxmi Purana Prathana are associated with the Odia culture,” said UJP chairperson Subasini Jena.