Nuakhai, the agriculture festival of western Odisha, was celebrated in Dubai, UAE, for the second time with much fervour on October 2.
More than 40 Western Odisha families residing at various places across UAE congregated at the SP Jain Institute of Global Management Auditorium to celebrate the festival.
The programme began with Maa Samalei Bandana and lighting up of a sacred lamp by a most senior member of the Western Odisha families.
Besides, ‘Nua Dhaan’, newly harvested rice crops, which was brought all the way from Western Odisha, was offered to Maa Samalei as per the tradition.
later, all newly-settled families introduced themselves. It was followed by a magnificent cultural programme presented by kids and ladies. Folk songs were sung in solo and duet by some singers while many danced to the tunes of Sambalpuri folk music.
Sambalpuri dance performances and a fashion show by children with traditional costume were the main attraction of the event. The organisers plan to continue the tradition in years to come and to
invite Western Odia families residing in other countries apart from UAE from next
year onwards.