Vice-president (corporate services) of Tata Steel Partha Sengupta inaugurates the function at Utkal Association Hall. Picture by Srinivas

Jamshedpur, April 1: Colourful performances, dance and music marked the 73rd Utkal Divas that was hosted by two Oriya cultural organisations — Utkal Association and Golmuri Utkal Samaj — in the steel city today.

The Oriya community came out in full force to remember the occasion when their home state (Orissa) was carved out of Bihar on April 1, 1936, and became a province in its own right. Fifty association members belonging to Utkal Association also participated in the event.

“That separation from the state of Bihar finally gave our community an identity. Therefore, the day is celebrated not only in the state, but among Oriya people everywhere,” said Tarachand Mohanty, the association secretary.

Community members also remembered Madhusudan Das, the leader who played a crucial role in the formation of the separate state.

Partha Sengupta, the vice-president of corporate services of the Tata Steel, was the chief guest at the Utkal Association event, while Udit Sarkar, a senior criminal lawyer in the high court, was the guest of honour.

At the event, Sengupta stressed on the achievements of the Oriya community and focused on projects that the Tata Steel has taken up in the mother state.

Usually in Orissa, the day is celebrated with joy and pomp, with rallies, competitions, cookery shows and fancy dress meets.

Orissa, earlier known as Utkal and Kalinga, was born on April 1, 1036. However, it was merged with Bihar. In 1936, it finally emerged as a province in the British India.

Today, the club had also invited an Oriya group — Sanskriti Vihar from Cuttack — to perform at the event.

Fifteen artistes performed an Odissi dance drama along with individual and group dance performances.

On this happy occasion, the association felicitated five community members for their contribution to the society. Dramatist Navindra Kumar Behra and orator Vishvamohan Patnaik were felicitated along with important social activists.

The Golmuri Utkal Samaj also celebrated the Utkal Divas with pomp and gaiety.