A meeting of the Palla artists in Ganjam under the auspices of the Bhanja Palla Kalakar Sangh and the All Odisha Nilachal Pala Gayak Parishad was held in Gajapatinagar village in Ganjam block under Chillika basin. President of All Odisha Pala Association Madan Mohan Jena presided.
Speaking as guest, State Planning Board Member Rama Chandra Panda said Ganjam district is an epicentre and patron of various Loka Nrutyas and Loka Natyas. Pala artistes have so far made significant contributions towards the society in bringing changes and preserving the rich cultural posterity and tradition of antiquity.
The State Government has also initiated several efforts towards promoting the folk art of Pala by documentation and encouraging the artistes to stage Pala in different forums, he added.
Panda distributed mementos and citations to the Pala Gayaks who have excelled in this field of folk arts.
Among others, Sudarsan Mahapatra and Balaram Panda, spoke. Satyanarayan Gouda welcomed the guests. Bhanja Palla Kalakar Sangh president Dambarudhar Behera offered vote of thanks.