For years, they have lived away from Odisha. Yet non-resident Odias who have travelled to other states in search of better education or employment opportunities feel nostalgic about their festivals and traditions. To keep their links with their home state, they organise community events and enthusiastically participate in them especially on festive occasions like Nuakhai Bhetghat, Pushpuni, Rathyatra, Raja, Ganesh Puja and Durga Puja, where they make it a point to invite Odia artistes to perform and felicitate them. Orissa POST spoke to a few people who have been instrumental in the promotion of Odisha’s art and culture in cities such as Hyderabad, Bangalore, Pune and Delhi.
Kumuda Ranjan Panda, who belongs to Nuapada, has lived in Hyderabad for the last fourteen years. He is the CEO of STEPs Management Consultancy (SMC). He also works as a motivational speaker, life coach and business coach. Earlier, Panda was the senior vice president of Karvy, Share Microfin Limited. He said, “The Western Odisha Social and Cultural Association (WOSACA) regularly organises events and invites talents from Odisha. On September 30, WOSACA organised Nuakhai Bhetghat at the Zoroastrian Club of Secunderabad. Srimati Snehangini Chhuria, Minister, Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts graced the occasion as chief guest while former Union minister Dr S Venugopal Chary was the guest of honour. Odia filmmaker Ghanteshwar Guru from the Hindi film industry, percussion exponent Dr Ghasiram Mishra and social activist Niharkanta Panda were felicitated. WOSACA has invited many artistes as well as cultural groups to perform in Hyderabad in the past. Recently, the Paenri dance group from Sonepur, well known singer Pankaj Jal, singer Reshmarani Dash, Kuni Chhatria, and album singers Prasanna and Nilima (‘Sagadagadi’) performed at a WOSACA event. Sana and Bada of Tushra in Bolangir, who are well known for playing the musical instrument Ghuduka, comedian Debendra Sahu, and dwarf actor Sushanta Behera also took part in the event.”
According to Kumuda Ranjan, WOSACA has always extended a helping hand to Odias in Hyderabad on different issues ranging from employment to medical services. “We also want to construct a temple matching the big temples of Odisha like Samaleswari, Pataneshwari, and Manikeswari. Union minister Chary, who was the guest of honour, has assured us help in this cause,” he added.
Nuclear scientist Padmanabha Pradhan, another member of WOSACA, said, “The main objective of the organisation is to promote the rich folk culture of western Odisha. We want others to be aware of our ancient traditions and heritage. We have a pool of talent in the various regions of western Odisha. At WOSACA events, we not only celebrate our traditions, we also offer the artistes a platform. Apart from cultural activities, WOSACA members also undertake regular initiatives to help social causes. Many people in and around Hyderabad have joined us in this mission.”
Padmanabha belongs to a village near Harishankar, the famous tourist destination in Bolangir district.
Odias living in Bangalore too celebrate their festivals in a big way. Sanjat Mishra, a member of ‘Nuakhai Bhetghat Kutumb’ (NKBK), a Bangalore-based Odia cultural outfit, said, “We never miss the opportunity to celebrate Rathyatra, Raja, Utkal Diwas, Ganesh Puja, Durga Puja, Nuakhai and Pushpuni in Bangalore. Our group organises Nuakhai Bhetghat and Pushpuni celebrations in an elaborate way. During Pushpuni, we go for a picnic and enjoy typical Odia cuisines. And for Nuakhai Bhetghat, we invite artistes from Odisha to perform.”
NKBK has invited and felicitated actor Prithviraj Nayak, Lok-Kabi-Ratna Haldhar Nag, Bolangir’s Natraj Kalaparishad Gurubari Mirdha, filmmaker Sabyasachi Mohapatra and many others. “Recently, we invited blind Ghuduka artiste Pabitra, who begs for alms in trains between Bolangir and Sambalpur stations. Our move came in for all round appreciation,” said Sanjat.
Sanjat added that many people from other regions turn up for the festive celebrations to learn about Odisha’s heritage, folk culture, music and cuisine. The level of bonding among the Odias in the city amazes them, he said.
NKBK, which started out with just fifteen families as members, has grown rapidly over the years. It now offers a platform to many upcoming talents and plays a decisive role in their career, Sanjat said.
Odias living in Pune also play a big role in promoting the art and artistes of their home state. Pratyush Padhi of the Bhetghat Cultural Association (BCA) in Pune said, “We formed BCA in 2005 and since then there has been no looking back. At present, Sanjay Mohanty is the president of BCA. We observed Nuakhai Bhetghat September 30 at the Gyandeep Mangal Karyalaya, Pashan, Pune. More than 700 Odias living in Pune attended the event in their traditional attire. The theme this year was ‘Amar Parab Amar Garab’ (our festival, our pride). This year BCA had invited Sangeet Sadhana, a famous folk dance group from Loisingha led by Shankar Behera. The other invited artistes were Sambalpuri singers Pritam Mishra and Angeline Mansi. The artistes enthralled the audience with their soul-stirring performances. Besides, chefs were specially invited from Odisha to prepare some unique cuisines.”
Odias, under the banner of ‘Juhar Parivar,’ observe their many festivals in Delhi as well. Besides celebrating festivals like Sitalshasthi, Nuakhai and Pushpuni, the group has also observed the birth anniversaries of freedom fighters Veer Surendra Sai and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Surya Behera of the Parivar said, “On September 23 this year, Juhar celebrated the Nuakhai Parv at JLN Stadium, New Delhi. Nearly 100 artistes from Odisha performed at the event. Visitors enjoyed traditional delicacies like Singda Bhuja, Cahul Bara, Chaka Pitha, Hendua and Patal ghanta chut-chuta prepared for the occasion. Nakul Pattnaik, a bhujawala from Odisha, was felicitated on this occasion for his delicious preparation of ‘masala-mudhi.’ The organisation also felicitated Padmashree Nilamadhav Panda, the award-winning Odia filmmaker, and poet Padmashree Haldhar Nag.”
Culture connect
History says that the Sadhabas (Odia merchants) had not only established trade ties with other countries, they also had links with other parts of India from ancient times. At present, many Odias migrate to different parts of the country for two reasons – better education and job opportunities. But they continue to maintain links with their places of birth even if they settle down in faraway cities. Odia Cultural Association, a group of Odia people in Delhi, and the Odia Association of Delhi that owns the Jagannath Mandir in Delhi, are a case in point. Varanasiya Utkal Samaj, an organisation of the Odia community in Uttar Pradesh, has been promoting the state’s culture for the past six decades in the holy city of Varanasi. The outfit has felicitated many Odia talents including Jyoti Kullu, former captain of the national women’s hockey team and Arjuna Award winner.
Himanshu Guru, OP