Participants take part in puchi khela, a traditional game. Pictures by Sanjib Mukherjee

Bhubaneswar, Aug. 26: Teenaged girls displayed their love for traditional games at an event hosted by the Kasturba Nari Mahal in the city today.

The annual competition, which has been organised for over 50 years, included various folk games of Odisha. Girls had to challenge each other in the game of ‘puchi khela’, one of the favourite games of village girls, but it is slowly vanishing after the advent of television and other forms of entertainment.

In the game, girls squat and twist themselves that makes it difficult for them to move.

Various designs made of rice paste on the floor, known as chita, and those made with a combination of colourful petals, known as ‘puchi ghara’, were created by the participants.

“These art forms and games are not very common in the city, but we still play them at school. At home, we get to know about them from our mothers and grandmothers,” said Ipsita, a 13-year-old participant.

Among other contests was singing of traditional songs such as Kumar punei janha lo phula baula beni. A group patriotic song competition was also hosted.

“This competition on traditional Odia music and art is a prelude to Kumar Utsav, celebrated by the organisation,” said secretary of Kasturba Nari Mahal, Kasturika Patnaik.

“We host contests for girls every year ahead of Kumar Purnima festival. The award ceremony, however, will be hosted on October 15 at Rabindra Mandap. Artistes of Odisha Dance Academy will perform at the event,” said Patnaik.