The three-day Mayurbhanj Utsav, which concluded in the State capital on Sunday, has aptly showcased the quintessential spirit of the district through songs, dances, music and amazing audio-visuals, feels Nalco CMD Tapan Kumar Chand, who was the chief guest on the second evening.
The Nalco was one of the sponsors of the festival.
“Mayurbhanj occupies a unique position in the State of Odisha, being endowed with rich mineral base, flora, fauna and is home to the Similipal biosphere. Equally rich is its cultural heritage. Be it the famedChhau dance, which blends beauty with vigour, or the mellifluous beats of Jhumar dance, everything is so enchanting,” observed Chand. “But more importantly, the Mayurbhanj Utsav has brought many little-known facts to the fore,” he added.
Very few people now recall that the Bhanj Kings of Mayurbhanj established the first medical college of the State in Cuttack and funded many higher educational institutions, including the Ravenshaw College. The Mayurbhanj State Railway was started by Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanj Deo and the 52-km railway track from Rupsa to Baripada was opened for traffic way back in 1905. The forgotten airstrip at Amarda in the district was built during the World War II, recalled Chand.