After the hugely successful ‘Nuakhai Bhetghat’ organised at Dubai on October 7 last, in which Rangabati singer Jitendra Haripal performed the iconic song live for the first time outside India, the western Odisha community of UAE will celebrate ‘Puspani’ on January 13.
‘Puspuni’ is an annual festival observed by the people of western Odisha on the Puni (full moon day) in Odia calendar month of Pus (Pausha in Sanskrit). It derives its origin from the age-old agrarian culture of the land. Basically, it is an annual occasion wherein the farmer families celebrate their annual harvest of paddy. It has given rise to a great tradition of celebration by other communities too. People of western Odisha, irrespective of their occupation, feast, sing and dance, and rejoice in giving away on this day.
Odias of UAE and their children will be attending the celebration and will be treated to a special lunch which will have traditional flavour. There will be games for children and adults and it will be an occasion to bond with each other.
This year’s celebrations have acquired special significance because the community has invited Padmashree Haladhar Nag to join them at Dubai. A day- long picnic in Al Barsha Pond Park in Dubai with traditional food and lots games and other activities for the families of western Odisha people will be held. In the evening live poetry recitation will be done by Padhmashree Nag in event called ‘Aroma of literature.’