Balasore: An exhibition of varieties pithas (rice cakes) was organised under the aegis of Intach (Indian National Trust For Art and Cultural Heritage), Balasore chapter, on Sunday evening.

Thirty-five participants of the event displayed their home-made products and best three and other 10 varieties were felicitated by a selection committee.

The Balasore chapter of Intach organised the event to revive the extinct pitha of Odia cuisine and to encourage the people who still prepare the dish at their homes. Twenty-four varieties of pithas were presented by the participants and women of various age groups. "Some types of pithas from the Odia cuisine have been forgotten as they require a lot of patience and skill for preparation. The readymade ingredients for preparing quick pitha in the market has been a desisting factor for its makers to follow the traditional way of its making," said the convener of Intach, Balasore chapter, Himansu Das .

"A seven-member committee consisting of people from different fields selected the best three as well as the other ten varieties for consolation prizes," Das said. The first prize winner received Rs 5,000 in cash and runners up got Rs 3,000 the third winner was given Rs 2,000. The consolation prize winners were given Rs 5,00 each.

The assistant co-convener of Intach, Balasore, Nikunja Bihari Das, said the selection was made on three different parameters - preparation, design and presentation.

"The basic competitions was held on only two types of pithas, one is podo pitha and another manda pitha as these two pithas are a part of Odia culture," he said.