Cuttack: Orchestra troupes in the Silver City here are now rehearsing hard to entertain people in the coming puja season.
The orchestra troupes will start their programmes from Ganesh puja and they will perform during Vishwakarma puja, Dussehra, Kali puja and Kartikeshwar puja.
Many puja committees of the city have already booked orchestra troupes in advance, sources said.
The demand for orchestra troupes in the city reaches its highest point during Dussehra festival. Almost all puja committees of the city organise orchestra or melody shows near their pandals.
It is believed that the orchestra culture of Odisha has a strong link with the Dussehra festival of Cuttack. The Silver City is considered as the cradle of orchestra troupes in state.
Legendary Odia singer, lyricist, composer, musician and music director Akshaya Mohanty had composed several songs for Dussehra festival. Mohanty had highlighted the rich culture and tradition of Cuttack in many of his songs. Even Mohanty himself had performed at some puja pandals.
Songs composed by Mohanty and other composers were the main attraction in orchestra programmes in 1980s and 1990s. Odia song Ama Sahi Medha Asuchi was one of the hit songs in orchestra circle in Cuttack in 1980s.
Some orchestra troupes of the city have completed at least 40 years.
This time, orchestra troupes are rehearsing on Odia, Sambalpuri and Hindi film songs to entertain people during the puja season. “Apart from some evergreen Hindi and Odia movie songs, we will perform on recent hit songs from albums and films,” said a singer of a city-based orchestra troupe.
Muhammad Shahid of Habib Melody exuded confidence that his troupe will attract audience with their performances. “Our rehearsal is going on in full swing. Our troupe is one of the leading melody groups in Cuttack. We will perform on both old and new Hindi and Odia songs during the upcoming festive season,” he said.
Odisha Melody Association office-bearer Jitu Mangaraj said they have imposed restrictions on the recital of vulgar and double meaning songs during orchestra programmes in the coming puja season. “Orchestra shows have managed to maintain their popularity. We are fully prepared for the upcoming festive season,” he said.