Folk artistes perform at the Palla competition organised by Ravenshaw University on Sunday. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Nov. 16: Authorities of the Ravenshaw University have undertaken an initiative to popularise Palla, a dying rural folk art form, by inaugurating a state-level competition today.

The varsity organised the two-day Palla competition in association with the Prafulla Pathagar of Jagatsinghpur. The event is a part of the ongoing programmes to mark the eighth foundation day of the university.

Around 21 troupes from various parts of the state are taking part in the competition.

“The competition will be held in two rounds — preliminary and final. Six out of the 21 troupes will qualify for the final round that will be held on Monday,” said Gauranga Das, head of the varsity’s Odia department.

The groups, taking part in the competition, have been selected on the basis of their performance in the past five years.

Das said Palla, the traditional folk art form of Odisha, was still alive and the Prafulla Pathagar had been organising such competitions across the state for the past five years.

The Gayak Ratna title and a gold medal will be awarded to the winner of the competition, one of the organisers said.

Students have appreciated the university’s initiative to provide a platform to the artistes to showcase their talents. They have welcomed the initiative.

“I had seen a Palla at my brother’s wedding in 1990. It was for the first time that I could witness the rural folk art as such events are not organised any more. Other cultural programmes such as orchestras have replaced them completely nowadays,” said Sucharita Sahu, a student.

“Palla is not all about highlighting a social theme. It has an aspect ranging from music to criticism — which reaches out to a wide range of audience. If the groups come out with a synopsis and inform the audience about their theme before the performance, many more of us will be able to connect and understand,” said Santosh Moharana, another student.

“At present, there are over 400 palla troupes, including 16 female ones, in the state. We are happy that the varsity has decided to organise such an event. It will help the students to understand the art form,” said Das.

At the inaugural ceremony, state culture secretary Arabinda Padhee said the state government had been seeking possible steps to preserve and promote the folk art forms of Odisha.

“According to a survey, there are over 360 folk art forms in the state. We are taking adequate measures to preserve such dying art forms,” said Padhee.

He also said the state government had organised Palla Mahotsav in various parts of the state while a lot of people belonging to the Muslim community in Bhadrak had also taken up the tradition.

Besides, steps are being taken for documentation of unique rural art forms — which will be helpful in attracting the younger generations, Padhee said.

“The younger generation is more attracted towards the modern means of entertainment, including television and the Internet. We had agreed to host the competition as Palla and Daskathia, which were the sole means of entertainment in the past,” said Ravenshaw University vice-chancellor B.C. Tripathy.