Capital enjoys district delights

Bhubaneswar, Jan. 6: The cultural extravaganza, Mayurbhanj Utsav, recreated a feel of mini-Mayurbhanj on Janata Maidan bringing together artistes and performing arts as well as culinary and handicraft creations of the district under one roof.

The three-day festival, which concluded today, started off with performances of Karma puja, a show by the Jhumar artistes from Badasahi. Following this was Evolution of Dances, which showed the transformation of dance from tribal to the modern fusion and hip-hop forms. Evolution of dances was choreographed and directed by Baripada’s playwright Chinmay Das Patnaik.

Tatwaprakash Satpathy (Papu Pom Pom) with his witty acts made the evening memorable. Child prodigy Swaraj Barik from Poda Astia, near Baripada town, was another attraction with his dance item based on three of his famous films.

Better known as the first family of the Odia film fraternity, Uttam Mohanty, Aparajita and son Babushan also performed on the first evening. A trained singer, Babushan rendered his own number Dhire dhire chalre samaya from Chocolate. The other items of the inaugural day included fusion dance by Rohit and troupe from Baripada, Chhow dance from Baripada and a dance-based programme on music director Saroj Patnaik.

Day two started with Jhumar by a Rairangpur troupe. Tributes were paid to Odia star Uttam Mohanty and a dance recital was staged depicting his long journey in the film industry. A similar tribute was given to music director and composer Shantanu Mohapatra. Later, the members of the Mayurbhanj Cultural Association felicitated both.

Child artistes from Baripada also staged a programme on comedian Salil Mitra, who hailed from Karanjia in Mayurbhanj district. Tapas Sargharia, an actor from Dukura presented a comic act.

While actor Ajit Das, wife Maya and daughter Banasmita were felicitated on the second day, a tribal dance, Dhanger, from Rairangpur was a big draw. Sajjan Bal and troupe staged a dance drama on Jhumar songs. Purnachandra Mohanta and troupe staged their Rairangpur Chhow dance and Number 1 Dance Group from Baripada performed modern dance.

Natraj, a war dance in Chhow, and Gurkul Dance Academy’s musical performance stole the show on the final day. Cine star Bijay Mohanty was felicitated and a dance-based item depicting his biography was presented. A tribute was also paid to music director and composer Radha Krushna Bhanja.

Physically challenged artist from Udala, Bikash was also a major attraction for his skills and dance despite having no arms. Modern dance performance by Soma Parveen and group from Baripada was also appreciated. Television actor Sukanta Rath and Madhusmita Mohanty anchored the event on all three days.

Apart from the cultural shows, delicacies such as mudhi mansa, a favourite dish from Mayurbhanj, attracted many at the Janata Maidan. There were kiosks displaying handicrafts and stone carving, dokra and lacquer art.