Bhubaneswar, April 6: Shrestha Odiani, a fun and frolic contest exclusively for women, which began seven years ago, has seen a huge surge in popularity and stature over the years. The show that began with few Odia women fighting for the prestigious tag has more than 70 contenders for each event this year.

The 2012 season began from April 1 and will continue for the next seven days. Organised by Sambhabana, an Odia cultural organisation, the contest will have 11 events that will test the adeptness, awareness and competency of Odia women about their tradition and culture.

Games such as preparing paan, pithas (country cake), knowledge of Odia mythology, dhaga-dhamali (ancient Odia proverbs contest), blowing conches, jhoti and muruja (patterns on the floor with natural colours), flaunting traditional attire , cooking, purana-abriti or recitation of the puranas and hulahuli or the auspicious sound made during holy rituals are some of the games on the play card.

“The effects of globalisation are having an adverse effect on us. Slowly, most of our traditions are disappearing over the generations. Shrestha Odiani is a small initiative to uphold the traditional values and culture in a fun way,” said Debaprasad Parija, head of the cultural organisation that runs the competition.

Two of the popular games jhoti and purana-abriti were held at Ekamra Haat this week where contestants were seen creating rangolis . In the purana-abriti women recited the ancient texts such as Ramayana and Mahabharata and popular works of ancient Odia litterateurs.

The pitha-making contest is a favourite of many and every year there is a huge turnout for this event.

Delicacies such as kakara pitha, monda pitha, podo pitha, karanji, gaintha godi are a few of the most popular dishes.

prepared by the contestants.

A ritual such as kandana, a specific way of crying by the bride’s family members during their daughter’s farewell, is hardly seen today. Even hulahuli, considered as an important ritual during weddings, has diminished to a great extent. In an attempt to revive these dying rituals Shrestha Odiani, includes these two significant games.

“The best part of this event is that there is no age limit. Women from 25 years upwards can participate and enjoy,” added Parija.

Participants from Cuttack, Puri, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj and many other cities have assembled in the capital to participate in the 13-day event. The next segment of the Shrestha Odiani will be held on April 8 at Unit-II Girls High School. The final is scheduled for April 11, 12 and 13 at Ekamra Haat.

The declaration of results and award ceremony will be held on April 28 to commemorate the birth anniversary of legendary Odia leader Madhusudan Das.