Bhubaneswar: State-level ‘Rasabali Dibasa’ celebrations were held at Guru Kelu Charan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre auditorium in Bhubaneswar today.
Organised by ‘Odisha Sanskruti O Parampara Punaruddhara Samiti’ (Odisha Culture and Tradition Restoration Committee), participants in the event demanded GI tag for the delicacy, that is said to be the favourite of Lord Baladevjew of Kendrapara.
The event was presided over by Samiti convener Jyotsnamayi Parida and started with cow worship followed by Pala, Kendera and Sankirtan performances by performers from Kendrapara district.
In the evening, on occasion of Lord Baladevjew’s birthday, the revered deity of Kendrapara Tulasi Kshetra, traditional Raksha Bandhan festival and evening aalati were held.
Later, famous rasabali stall of Kendrapara was inaugurated for the visitors. The rasabali prasad was enjoyed by the audience who demanded the program to be celebrated every year as Rasabali Dibasa on Raksha Bandhan – the birthday of Lord Baldev. Further, it was demanded that government should accord GI tag status to the rasabali.
A music video and a book by Jayashree Dhal featuring rasabali were also released at the event. Finally, a cultural programme was held on the rasabali song.
MP Amar Patnaik, MLA Shashi Bhusan Behera, BMC Mayor Sulochana Das, Director of Odia Language, Literature & Culture Department Dilip Routray, OTDC Chairman Lenin Mohanty were among the guests.
PNN