Bhubaneswar, Oct. 4: An exhibition on the evolution of Odia film music began at Odisha State Museum today.

A number of rare photographs related to films released upto1986 have been displayed at the event.

Around 81 clicks taken during the music recording of the films have been put up at the exhibition that was inaugurated by music maestro Hariprasad Chaurasia.

The pictures have been collected from various production houses, film magazines and by visiting families of music directors and crewmembers of the films. Each of the photographs has details about the recording studio, the name and release date of the film, its starcast and the musicians involved.

Altogether, 14 photographs of prominent music directors of Odia cinema, including Akshaya Mohanty, Raghunath Panigrahi and Balakrushna Das among others, have been put up at the exhibition.

These apart, gramophonic records of cult Odia films such as Sita Bibaha and Jai Jagannath have been displayed.

'The pictures will throw light on the how the recording format and the musical scenario in Odia cinema evolved over the years. Odia film music has been very popular during those times so it is imperative that we preserve them for future references,' said film critic and researcher Surya Deo, who is leading the initiative.

The exhibition will continue till October 19.