Barehipani waterfall inside Similipal Tiger Reserve in Mayurbhanj district, (below) stagecraft artist Budha Maharana. Telegraph pictures

Bhubaneswar, Jan. 18: If you have not visited the majestic Barehipani falls at the Similipal Tiger Reserve in Mayurbhanj district yet, you might have a glimpse of it right here in the city.

Well-known stagecraft artist Budha Maharana is recreating the beautiful Barehipani at Janata Maidan in the city as the Mayurbhanj Utsav is going to showcase the places of tourist interests and culture of the district at the annual event of the Mayurbhanj Cultural Association.

Maharana, known for his skills in stage designing for Odia film industry, said: “Mayurbhanj district is known for its culture, tradition and the Similipal forests, which is the epitome of nature’s beauty. To represent a central theme during the Mayurbhanj Utsav, I wanted to create a hill range of Similipal and Barehipani falls so that people are attracted to the venue in large numbers. Last year, the background of the stage adorned the royal palace of Mayurbhanj.’’

Mayurbhanj Cultural Association is going to hold the three-day festival at Janata Maidan starting from Friday.

The theme of this year’s festival is tourism and thus the organisers have decided to include crafts mela, cultural programmes and food kiosk so that the visitors experience a miniature of Mayurbhanj.

General secretary of the association Gokul Chandra Das, said: “The craft traditions of the district includes the stoneware of Khiching, the tussar textiles, pressed sal leaf plates, sabai grass products and other forest products. The cultural programmes will include Chhau dance, the lyrical flow of Jhumar and shows by noted personalities from Odia film industry who hail from Mayurbhanj district.’’

“Interestingly, the well-known cuisines of Mayurbhanj such as mudhi-mansha (puffed rice and mutton in gravy) and many other mouth-watering delicacies of the region will also be on display at the venue,’’ said actor Ajit Das, a member.

However, working president of the association and former MP Birabhadra Singh said: “The Mayurbhanj Utsav is meant for all and not confined to the people of Mayurbhanj. It brings all the cultural groups of the district including tribal dance troupes as the region is tribal-dominated.”

“Mayurbhanj district has contributed much to the cultural and educational scene in the state but the tourism potential still lies unexplored. So, as the members of the association we want to project the tourism potential this year as a special theme. This will also open up investment opportunities in the district,” he added.