Sonepur: Music researchers at a seminar on Loka Badya of Western Odisha unequivocally expressed concern over the fast deterioration of the folk music of the region.

A local cultural organisation called Paenri and the Union ministry of culture organised the seminar on Sunday evening.

Researcher Krushna Chandra Sindhria and Bhima Bhoi Kala Parishad director Umesh Kumbhar were among the speakers on the occasion. They highlighted the intricacies of various folk musical instruments of west Odisha and also discussed the cause of threat to the age-old tradition.

Kumbhar, who is also a dholak player, said the folk music tradition of west Odisha was a rich one, but it had been pushed to the corner by the advent of the modern-day music.

"Musical instruments such as dholak, nishan, tasha and muhuri have always played a vital role in making the music in west Odisha. But, barring a few instruments, many have lost to the popular music. The main reason for this is that the present generation is no more interested in these traditional instruments. They are more interested in the popular stuffs," Kumbhar said.

Sindhria, a renowned flautist, said enough research had not been done in the field of the musical instruments of west Odisha.

"The reason for deterioration of the folk music tradition of the region can be attributed to lack of research into the musical instruments of the region. We even don't know anything about many instruments. They are also very rarely used while arranging music. Lots of research are needed to save these instruments before they lose to the test of time," he said.

Paenri secretary Choudhury Bibhar spoke about the aim and objectives of the event. Youths, especially the students, took part in the seminar.