Bhubaneswar:  The recent installation of Konark Chakra at the Times Square in New York made every Odia proud. However, not many are aware the story behind such a massive initiative. To shed light on the journey of Konark Chakra to NYC, a discussion programme was held Wednesday here at Bakul Library, Satya Nagar, involving the team members that made it possible.

Among the luminaries who participated in the event included internationally acclaimed filmmaker Jitendra Mishra who spearheaded the project, sculpture’s chief designer Subash Pujari, stone sculptor Amaresh Bindhani, noted actor Sabyasachi Mishra and Bakul Library founder Sujit Mohapatra.

Speaking on the occasion, Jitendra said, “The Konark Chakra at Times Square is a testament to India’s ancient cultural heritage and its ability to seamlessly integrate with modernity. We believe this installation will serve as a symbol of unity, diversity, and cultural exchange.”

Amaresh added, “Creating the Konark Chakra has been a labour of love, and I am excited to see it inspire people from all walks of life in the heart of New York City.”

Talking about the difficulties they faced, Pujari  said, “It was a daunting task, but we were confident that the Konark Chakra would stand tall and proud at Times Square, representing the spirit of India.”

Madhusmita Sahu, OP

Michelin star chef Vikas Khanna recently hogged the limelight after he took an initiative to install a replica of Konark Chakra at Times Square in New York City. However, not many people knew that Jitendra Mishra, an internationally acclaimed filmmaker from Odisha, played a crucial role in that drive. The Last Color director was in Bhubaneswar Wednesday where he shared with Orissa POST the inspiration behind the project and more.

Could you describe the process and challenges involved in transporting and installing such a significant cultural artifact at a bustling urban setting like Times Square?

As an Odia, our roots hold a deep connection to Lord Jagannath and the Konark temple. During discussions with Vikash about his new restaurants, the idea of incorporating Indian artifacts came up. I proposed the idea of including the Konark Chakra, which he enthusiastically agreed to. We initially planned to install it a year ago but faced shipping delays. Consequently, we decided to wait until this year, and Independence Day was the perfect occasion to showcase it. I reached out to my longtime friend, Subash Pujari Bhai, and shared the concept with him, to which he promptly agreed. He then coordinated with his team and as they say the rest is history.

How was the response from the local community and tourists there?

I believe that the local Indian community experienced a sense of pride and immense joy at its unveiling. Furthermore, numerous tourists have visited the monument and we have received positive feedback.

What is the message that you hope the Konark Chakra conveys to people in NYC?

The famous sculpture should spark excitement and curiosity among people, prompting them to explore the intricate architectural designs of various monuments in India.

Is there any plan to showcase other artifacts from Odisha?

Yes, another project is in the work and that is Sambalpuri fabric. Vikash is currently constructing his new restaurant in New York, and part of his vision for it is to incorporate an Indian museum. Here, he intends to exhibit not only the Konark Chakra but also the Sambalpuri fabric while infusing a touch of Sambalpur culture into the cuisine he serves.

Madhusmita Sahu, OP

Bhubaneswar: The second evening of Srjan’s 29th OMC Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra (GKCM) Award Festival witnessed Kathak danseuse Shila Mehta and Hindustani Vocalist Jayateerth Mevundi mesmerise audience here at Rabindra Mandap, Wednesday.

In the first performance, Mehta, who was groomed in the Lucknow gharana by Pt Vijay Shankar and Pt Birju Maharaj, paid tribute to Lord Shiva through her graceful movements while her second presentation was about Kathak’s finest technical nuances in ‘Teentaal’, a pure dance sequence where the command over the Taal. An interaction between Lord Krishna and Arjun formed the theme of her third performance.

Speaking about the event, Mehta, the founder and director of Nupur Zankar Academy of Performing Arts and Research Centre (Mumbai), said that Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra not only inspired Odissi dancers, he also guided artistes of other dance forms to excel.

The next presentation was made by Hindustani vocalist Jayateerth Mevundi who spellbound the viewers with his Krishna Bhajans on the occasion of Janamashtami.

Talking about Jayateerth of Hubli-Dharward (Karnataka), the vocalist is known as a torchbearer of Kirana Gharana. The A Top graded artist at All India Radio was initiated into the realm of Hindustani music by Pt Anjunsa Nakod.

Luminaries present on the occasion included, ECoR General Manager Manoj Sharma, musician Laxmikanta Palit and Paradeep Phosphates Ltd Corporate affairs Head Sudhi Ranjan Mishra.

The third day of the festival will witness performances by Bharatnatyam dancer P Praveen Kumar and Sitarist Niladri Kumar.

PNN

Bhubaneswar: In an attempt to pay tribute to the Gurus on the occasion of Teachers’ Day, City-based cultural outfit The Bhonsor Carnival (TBC) organised a grand event here at Odissi Research Centre, Tuesday. Titled Mantra, the programme brought together teachers, and the students where the latter expressed their gratitude for the relentless dedication of educators in shaping the future of their disciples.

Mantra, a magnificent amalgamation of art, culture, and education, commenced with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony with distinguished guests including prominent educators and local leaders in attendance.

Chitra Ajay of Mother’s Public School, through an online voting system, was selected as ‘The Most Loved Teacher of Bhonsor’ and felicitated at the event.

The highlight of the evening was a panel discussion on ‘Impact of early education on students’. TBC founder Punyasloka Panda, Ruchika Social Service Organisation CEO Benudhar Senapati, Euro Kids founder Jyoshna Parida Sahoo and Sunanda Mohapatra, the Educational Counsellor of BJEM School, Bhubaneswar took part in the programme.

Many students, who also spoke on the occasion, shared personal anecdotes on how their teachers guided them towards excellence.

Since teachers are the guiding lights in one’s life, Mantra is a humble attempt to recognise their selfless dedication, said TBC co-founder Avishek Jagdev underlining the objective of the event.

MADHUSMITA SAHU, OP

New Delhi: Millets will be the flavour of the day as not just cuisines, but startups dealing with “super food”, and celebrity chefs, and an exhibition will fete the visiting first ladies and spouses of G20 leaders as they visit the sprawling Pusa campus of IARI here while their better halves discuss geopolitics.

A curated tour of the 1,200-acre Pusa-IARI campus, the cradle of the green revolution in India, has been organised September 9 for the first ladies and spouses of the leaders attending the G20 Summit to help them learn about India’s rich agricultural heritage and taste a millet-based feast prepared by renowned celebrity chefs.

A majority of G20 leaders, including US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Japanese PM Fumio Kishida, have already confirmed their participation at the summit.

According to official sources, the first ladies and spouses of the dignitaries will be guarded by the specially-trained men and women commandos of another paramilitary force — Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).

The first ladies and spouses of the participating heads of G20 countries have been extended a special invitation to an agriculture exhibition, said a senior government official associated with preparations.

They will have a unique opportunity to savour a millet-based feast prepared live by renowned celebrity chefs, including Kunal Kapur, Ajay Chopra and Anahita Dhondy.

Joining these chefs will be two culinary experts from the ITC group — Kusha Mathur and Nikita Mehra.

In the ‘Live Cooking Area’, the chefs will prepare a ‘full course meal’ with a focus on millets.

From appetisers, salads, and main courses to desserts, the magic of millets will be showcased in its full glory.

The special guests will also get a first-hand experience of making rangoli using millets with two distinct themes — “Harmony of Harvest” and “Unity in Sustenance”.

“The Ministry of Agriculture is adding a vibrant touch to the G20 Spouses Program at the NASC Complex with two exquisite millets based rangolis,” the official said.

These artistic creations will not only showcase India’s expertise in integrated farming systems but will also highlight its significant role in bolstering global food and nutritional security.

Using indigenous agricultural crafts, ancient grains, and creative flair, these installations will encapsulate India’s agricultural heritage and commitment to sustenance.

The first ladies and spouses will also get a chance to interact with farmers and agri-startups to learn about India’s rich agriculture heritage, practices, and success stories.

The government has also planned a dedicated agriculture-themed excursion that will seek to acquaint the spouses with the strides taken across the vast agriculture space in India.

“An integral component of the event will be an exhibition of 15 startups that through unique and innovative solutions are integrating technology to address ground-level challenges and thereby digitising agricultural practices,” the official added.

The exhibition will cover the themes of ‘Climate Smart Agriculture’, ‘Innovating the Agriculture Value Chain’, ‘Revolutionizing Agri-logistics and Supply Chains’, ‘Quality Assurance for Sustainable Consumption’ and ‘Millets: Sustaining Health, Empowering Agriculture’.

The guests from G20 members are also scheduled to interact with 22 enterprising women farmers from 11 millet-producing states who are orchestrating a millet renaissance in their respective milieu.

It may be mentioned that India’s resolution to declare 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYM) was supported by 72 members of the United Nations General Assembly, providing the country with a unique opportunity to promote millets on the global stage.

As a part of the exhibition an ‘Agriculture Street’ will also be on display, showcasing the agriculture value chain from Seeding to Feeding harmonising ancient agricultural practices with modern technological advancements.

The official further said the event will offer the spouses an immersive experience highlighting the remarkable diversity of Indian agriculture.

It will also provide a first-hand glimpse into the transformative role of technology and innovation in shaping the future landscape of the agricultural sector.

The agriculture value chain-themed stalls will display the first-hand journey of millets from the inception of seeds to the culmination of nourishing meals.

“The special guests will get to know the journey of millets from farm to fork.

The displays at the exhibition will offer a rare opportunity for distinguished guests to witness the integration of every step, all working in coordination to create meaningful value for end users,” the official added.

The visitors will also get a chance to interact with several Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), which have assumed a critical function within the supply chain, ensuring the accessibility of essential inputs for farmers.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva are also among the G20 leaders who have confirmed their participation at the summit.

PTI

Acclaimed theatre and film actor Kumud Mishra of Rockstar fame was in Bhubaneswar Friday to play the lead in Hindi/ English play Dhumrapan, a fundraiser organised by Zain Foundation for the welfare of people suffering from Autism Spectrum Disorder. On the sidelines of the event, the NSD alumnus took some time off to speak to OrissaPOST.

Excerpts:                                          

Welcome to the City of Temples Mr Mishra. Please let us know what motivated you to be a part of the Zain Foundation’s initiative?

The Zain Foundation works for people suffering from autism which is praiseworthy and we wanted to support the cause. Also, we wanted the audience of Bhubaneswar to watch a play like Dhumrapan. This is my first collaboration with the organisation and I’m very happy about this.

What message does Dhumrapan, a play which has been staged over 60 times across India and has bagged multiple awards at festivals, aim to convey?

It’s a corporate comedy that shows how staff members at corporate workplaces express their emotions in smoking areas about things like evaluations, politics, relationships, stress, and job insecurities. We have attempted to showcase people’s inner feelings on the backdrop of smoking.

There is a thriving theatre community in Bhubaneswar. Have you ever considered collaborating with local troupes or artistes?

Oh, yes. I would like to be part of more plays in Bhubaneswar and team up with local troupes if get a chance.

You have played a wide range of characters in movies. How do you prepare yourself for the challenges?

There are many emotions within human beings; we simply need to discover them and bring them outside. We attempt to bring out the positive and negative traits of people via acting.

The most challenging character you have played so far.

Picking up any particular role is difficult as each has a unique hue and leaves you with an impression.

 How different is acting on stage and in a movie?

There is not much difference, you have to adapt to these different mediums. Both forms have their distinct flavours.

Finally, your thoughts on Odisha?

Many years ago, I worked in Odisha with Jhelum Paranjape, an Odissi exponent, for ballet Lilavati. That was my first work in Odisha. I enjoyed the local cuisines at that time. Acclaimed theatre artiste Robin Das, who is from Odisha, is one of my Gurus. There’s plan in place to work with him. This time I am getting very less time but I am planning to do bike tours of the state, the interior parts in particular.

PNN 

Bhubaneswar:  Usha, the first Odia telefilm aired on Doordarshan in 1987, was screened here at Jaydev Bhavan, Thursday.

Titled Smrutichhaya-19, the event was organised by the Film Journalists’ Forum of Bhubaneswar in collaboration with Akshaya Mohanty Trust. Written and directed by legendary Odia filmmaker Nitai Palit and shot in 35 mm print, the 90-minute film is about the age-old dowry system in Indian society and its eradication. Palit also had written the screenplay for the movie. Significantly, Akshaya Mohanty, another legend of Odisha, composed the songs and scored the film’s music. He also played a key role in Usha. Among others, Amaresh, Bina, Bhima Singh, Ananta Bharati, Bhima Patri, and Mahendra Mishra played important roles in the film.

Many celebrities including actors Partha Sarathi Ray, Anu Choudhury and Kuna Tripathy, singers Susmita Das and Sweta Mishra, litterateur Debi Prasanna Pattanayak, dramatist Anant Mohapatra, culture scholar Asit Mohanty and film director Sabyasachi Mohapatra were present on the occasion. In a brief ceremony, personalities associated with the film were felicitated while a booklet featuring the film’s details was unveiled.

It may be noted that Sadgati was the first Indian film which was directed by Oscar-winning Indian filmmaker Satyajit Ray in 1981.

Bhubaneswar: Margi, a two-day Classical dance festival presented by City’s well known Odissi dance institution Nrutyashala, kicked off here at Rabindra Mandap, Tuesday. The first evening began with a recital by New Delhi based International Odissi dancer Padma Shri Ranjana Gauhar who also was honoured with Lifetime achievement honour on the occassion.

She began with Mangala Charan followed by Jagannath Stuti. Her third performance was Rati Sukha Sare. Guru Mayadhara Rout composed the numbers.

Bandita Ghosal, the programme director of the event, took to stage next with Mu Jani Jani Karichhi Mana, written by Gopal Krishna. The dance was choreographed by Guru Ashok Kumar Ghosal.

The third solo performance Sanginire Chahain Benu Pani ku was performed by Binod Kevin followed by duet Shiba Panchaka Sachikanta Pradhan and Swagatika Pradhan.

Bhubaneswar’s Pragnya Nrutyayana troupe performed Dasa Mahabidya to end the evening. The dance was composed by Guru Durga Ch. Ranbir under the direction of Guru Swayampragnya Sahoo.

Luminaries present on the occasion included MLA Pratap Jena, retired IAS and Independent Director SAIL Ashok Ku. Tripathy and Mardala Guru Dhaneswar Swain.

The objective of organising such an event is to promote Odissi and offer a platform to the young performers, said Ashok Ghosal, the director of the festival.

Bhubaneswar: A two-day World Music and Yoga Day celebration, organised by City-based Dhrupad Music Foundation, came to an end here at GKCM Odissi Research Centre here, Thursday. On the second and concluding day, Padma Shri Gundecha Brothers of Madhya Pradesh was conferred with Dhrupad Ratna Jyoti Award-2023 while Arnav Chaghanti (Hyderabad), Shreyaanshi Pahwa(Punjab), and Vini Gupta(MP) received Little Dhrupad Singers Award-2023. Surya Narayan Pani from Odisha was felicitated with  Dhrupad Music Foundation Scholarship Award-2023. Luminaries present on the occasion included MLA Soumya Ranjan Pattnaik, Padma Shri Shyamamani Devi, eminent vocalist and Prof (Dr.) Saroj Kumar Das Majumdar, Dept. of Radiation, Oncology, AIIMS-Bhubaneswar.

Bhubaneswar: Jagannath Ashtakam, a devotional song album comprising eight verses in praise of Lord Jagannath, was released in Puri, Wednesday.

The singers, composer, and producer of the album were all in attendance.

It is believed that by reading and hearing the lines of Ashtakam, which were first written by Adi Shankaracharya and recited by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, one receives the grace of Lord Jagannath and entry into Vishnulok.

The tracks were created by Starmanch – Kolkata (Randeep Bhattacharya), and recorded at Usha Uthup’s studio Vibrations in Mumbai with vocals provided by Abhijeet Mishra and Jayati Chakraborty. Album’s music was scored by Upali Chattopadhyay.

Bhubaneswar: Utkala Rangamancha of the GKCM Odissi Research Centre here in witnessed a spectacular evening commemorating World Music and Yoga Day, Wednesday.

Organised by City-based Dhrupad Music Foundation, the event showcased the captivating genre of Dhrupad music, known for its profound spiritual undertones. The event also included Naad Yoga, a method for using sound to promote meditation and self-realisation. This gave attendees a very unique experience.

Vocalist Shreyaashni Pahwa from Punjab was the first to perform at the event. She enthralled the audience with Raga Bageshree (Aye Raghubir Dhir) composed in Sulta Taal (Ayo Sub Mil Gaye).  Mukund Dev Sahoo, the master of the Odisha Dhrupad style of singing, also joined in to mesmerise the audience with his Naad-Yoga.

The event was graced by Swami Atmaprabhananda, secretary of Ramakrishna Mission, Bhubaneswar, MLA Prafulla Samal, and KC Satpathy, Regional Director, DAV School.

Swami Ji expressed thanks to the organisers for conceptualizing such an event while  MLA  Samal said, “I am happy that a programme like this has been conducted in the city. And I hope it will grow more and eventually present itself at the international level.”

The event, aimed at promoting the global significance of music and yoga in fostering spiritual and mental well-being, drew a diverse audience, creating an atmosphere of unity and harmony.

It provided a platform for artists, musicians, and yoga enthusiasts to come together and celebrate the universal language of music and the ancient wisdom of yoga.

Madhusmita Sahu, OP

Bhubaneswar: Jnanpth Award-winning poet Sachidananda Routray, aka Sachi Routray is known for his poems on revolution. His compositions such as Baji Rout, Chhota Mora Gan Ti and Pallishri have fetched him loads of accolades and recognition. But not many are aware that he was a very sensible short-story writer. To highlight his works on this segment of literature City-based literary organisation Cafeteria organised a storytelling-cum-discussion program here, Sunday.

Among the luminaries who deliberated on Routray’s short-stories were famous novelist Ajay Swain, poet Hiranmayee Mishra and Alok Ranjan Sarangi, Odia lecturer.

The event was moderated by poet and columnist Kedar Misha.

Whether it is a poem or a short story, Sachi Routray was a legend in his lifetime, and his works will continue to inspire generations to come, said the participants.

Young poets Suman Dash and Subrat Senapati read out two popular stories—Bisarjan and Sakhi—while Arpita Pati set the tone by singing Routray’s famous song Chhota Mora Gan Ti. Two other emerging talents Anshuman Sahoo and Gouri Sahoo recited Droupadira Shadhi and Konarka- two popular poems of Routray.

The participants appreciated the unique initiative undertaken by Cafeteria’s director Subhashree Subhasmita Mishra.

Every month, one such event will be organised to involve young minds in Odia literature, said Mishra.

For the unversed, Cafeteria is a popular hangout destination for the writing communities of Bhubaneswar which has been regularly conducting such interactive sessions for the last couple of years.

Bijay Mandal, OP

Bhubaneswar: In 1993, he set a Guinness Book of World Record by recording the most number of songs in a day. No prize for guessing who the singer was. Yes, it was none other than Kumar Sanu, whose sweet voice has won over admirers for many years. As the prolific singer took the stage here at Utkal Mandap on Sunday, the City audience was treated to a feast of his timeless voice.

Sanu, the legendary playback singer known for his melodious renditions and numerous filmy hits, graced the stage a little late but it was worth the wait for the viewers. His ‘Sound of Soul’ Odisha Edition concert captivated the audience with an enchanting showcase of his musical brilliance. The concert took place last night at Utkal Mandap in Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha.

The show kicked off to his all time hits Do Dil Mil Rahe Hai and Aashiqui Ke Liye to thunderous applause from the gallery. The crowd enthusiastically joined the singer of more than 22,000 songs in 26 languages, on his popular tracks like Tum Dil Ki Dhadkan Mein, Ladki Aankh Mare and Dheere Dheere Se, showcasing their adoration for the legendary singer.

The event provided the audience with an unforgettable experience, immersing them in the magic of Sanu’s soulful voice and timeless melodies. The veteran singer, accompanied by a live orchestra, delivered a flawless performance, displaying his versatility and ability to connect with his fans. The concert featured a diverse range of his iconic songs spanning several decades, leaving the audience spellbound. From romantic ballads to foot-tapping chartbusters, Kumar Sanu effortlessly transported the attendees on a nostalgic musical journey.

Team Infracon and Nest Leisure, the event organisers, ensured that the venue provided optimal acoustics and a comfortable seating arrangement for the attendees. The sole intention to curate this concert was to bring the administrators, change makers, law makers, socially aware audiences, intellects, public figures, and influencers on the same page and take a unanimous step to bring about positive change, said the organisers.

MADHUSMITA SAHU, OP

Bhubaneswar: Lalit Kala Akademi (LKA) Chairman V Nagdas Thursday attended the Artists Meet here at the Odisha Lalit Kala Akademi gallery and interacted with several eminent artists of the state over a series of issues.

Speaking to Orissa POST during the programme titled ‘Coffee with Nagdas’, he said, “Odisha is a cultural hub of the country and we have several plans to carry out in the coming days.  We’ll conduct workshops for 75 women artists in the state and have plans for a special one to be led by eminent painter Jatin Das, which will be attended by many artists in the state. Additionally, orientation seminars will be offered at various art colleges for curators and critics so that they can market their works.”

Nagdas said that the state government must show more interest in its artists and promote their works.

“There is a plan in place to set up a new gallery in Bhubaneswar where more works can be displayed.   A few international artists will also be invited to the state to give exposure to the local artists,” he further said.

Odisha Lalit Kala Akademi secretary Panchanan Samal, LKA secretary Rahas Mohanty,  eminent painters Ramahari Jena, Baladev Moharatha, Ramakrishna  Vedala, Chaita Basu Jena, Aparna Roy and Satyabhama Majhi were among the artists who attended the meet.

An alumnus of Kala Bhavana, Visva Bharati University, Shantiniketan, Nagdas has vast experience in the field of printmaking, and his works have been exhibited in India and abroad. Before taking charge of Lalit Kala Akademi, he was the Head of Graphic Department at Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya, Khairagarh, Chhattisgarh.

PNN

Bhubaneswar: City-based Bakul Foundation is organising the Bakul Festival of Storytelling this weekend (Saturday and Sunday) here at the Bakul Library in Satyanagar to make children sing, dance and enjoy listening to the best storytellers of the city.

Since most of the summer camps organised by schools and different organisations are already over, and children still have a few weeks of summer vacation, Bakul decided to organise the event from 4pm to 8 pm on both days. More than 20 of the best storytellers from the City including professional storytellers, teachers, students, retired persons, grandmothers and homemakers will tell their favourite stories in English, Hindi and Odia, said the organisers.

Bakul Foundation, which had conceptualised and curated BhuFeSto in 2018 and organized it recently in 2023 with BDA as part of the Dot Fest, has played a pioneering role in bringing back the popularity of storytelling.

Sujit Mahapatra, the founder of the Foundation, said, “When we first curated BhuFeSto, we were struggling to find Odia storytellers to match the best international and national storytellers we had invited to the festival. But now, we have enough storytellers (more than 20) to have a Storytelling Festival only with local storytellers.”

Bakul has been organising regular storytelling sessions at the Bakul Library since its inception in 2007. Moreover, during the very popular online storytelling festivals during Covid, Storytime @ 9 and Rabibaar Gapabaar, children watched the storytelling sessions organised by Bakul often with their parents and entire families.

During the lockdown, Bakul had also invited the children, who were listening to the storytelling to tell stories and featured them in the online sessions as part of a series called “Tiny Tellers, Mighty Tales.

Bhubaneswar: The Bank of Baroda, a public sector bank, announced Monday the list of 12 nominations for the first edition of the Bank of Baroda Rashtrabhasha Samman Awards 2023.

Eminent author Paramita Satpathy’s Odia novel Abhipreta Kala, translated to Hindi by Ajoy Kumar Patnaik, is among the list drawn up for the honour. The award aims to recognise and promote literary works in various Indian languages and make the best Indian literature available to Hindi readers through translations.

The award will be presented to both the original author and the translator of the book. The two will receive Rs. 21.00 lakh and Rs. 15.00 lakh, respectively. The authors and the Hindi translators of the next five shortlisted books will also receive Rs. 3.00 lakh and Rs. 2.00 lakh each respectively.

Abhipreta Kala tells the story of the contributions of those known and unknown people who empowered India’s freedom struggle in their own way.

Speaking on the occasion, Debadatta Chand, Executive Director, Bank of Baroda said, “This award will provide a major boost to Indian language literature and seeks to give national recognition to regional language novels. The Award underlines the importance of India’s cultural and literary diversity and will further enrich the languages of our country.”

The five-member awards jury is chaired by renowned author and Booker Prize winner Geetanjali Shree. The other members are poet Arun Kamal, academician Pushpesh Pant, poet and novelist Anamika, and Hindi fiction writer and translator Prabhat Ranjan.

The name of the winner will be announced June 11, 2023, in Delhi.

Bhubaneswar: Just a week after its release, Karma, the music video from popular Korean girl band Blackswan, has not only garnered over two million views, but also evoked a lot of interest back home.

Reason: The single has been entirely shot in and around Bhubaneswar, while the band’s lead artiste Sriya (originally Shreya Lenka), is from Odisha. She has been in the spotlight ever since joining the renowned K-pop group Blackswan last year as India’s first-ever member.

Sriya’s other bandmates in the album that was released May 19, 2023, are Fatou (the main rapper and leader) from Belgium, Nvee (the main vocalist) from the USA, and Gabi (the sub-vocalist and dancer) from Brazil.

The video was shot in a single day at picturesque locales like Dhauli, Lingaraj Temple, and its surrounds.

In her reaction to Orissa POST Sriya said, “This album is extremely important to my heart because it bears the flavour of Indian music, tradition, culture, festivals, temples, and classical dance, and of course the title Karma is a word that was originated in India.  In addition, those who are unfamiliar with Odisha can now learn a lot about my home state.”

Sagan Lee, the director, claimed that logistical and financial challenges make shooting abroad challenging. However, he continued, their task was made easy by Odisha Tourism’s assistance and friendliness. Lee also thanked Samaresh Routray, a famous actor and producer from Odisha, for going out of his way to support them.

“Odisha Tourism facilitated permits for shooting at the Buddhist site of Dhauligiri Hills Heritage Buddhist site and other places.  I will also express my gratitude to the locals for their support and love,” Lee signed off.

Apart from being released on Blackswan’s official YouTube channel, the songs will be streamed on major global music services such as Spotify, YouTube Music, MelOn, and others.

Bhubaneswar: Eminent theatre director Sachi Das, now in his 90s, had created a wave of sort in this City at Rabindra Mandap in 1974 with his play Nila Akasha Dura Banani. He was the director and playwright and also enacted a key role in the play. In a first, the viewers were introduced to present day ‘item number’ at that time and the artistes were brought from other states.

In a bid to recreate the magic of Das and to honour him, Sai Vidyadhar Charitable Trust of Bhubaneswar, Friday presented the same play here at Rabindra Mandap amid thunderous applause from the viewers. The legendary director was present on the occasion to witness the drama.

The play, about the sacrosanct love between a couple, was directed by  young director Abakash Mishra.

The artistes who performed on stage included Karunakar, Biranchi, Chandrasekhar, Manas, Ankita and Ananya. Kailash Senapati scored the music.

Bari MLA Sunanda Das, BMC Mayor Sulochana Das and journalist Kishre Dwivedi were among the dignitaries  present on the occasion.

Several drama directors were felicitated at the event.

Bhubaneswar: Amidst the joint address of Indian diaspora at Sydney by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Aussie counterpart Anthony Albanese, the NSW Girls Team, led by the talented Smita Samantaray, presented the rich cultural legacy of Odisha, Wednesday.

The chief attraction of the event was Dhitang Dhitang by Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee Susmita Das. Her mellifluous recital, backed by the brilliant composition of Abhijeet Mishra and touching lyrics by Sangram Mohanty, captured the essence of Durua tribe and their vibrant traditions. The crowd was left spellbound, experiencing the sheer magic of Odisha’s cultural heritage.

The team comprising Anima Acharya, Aruniva Mohanty, Avipsa Padhi, Bandana Mishra, Gayathri Sreedharan, Mumtaz Lenka, Smita Samantaray, and Subhasree Mohapatra, delivered a breathtaking performance that ignited waves of joy and admiration. Their synchronized efforts and unwavering dedication exemplified the true spirit of Odia culture, captivating the hearts of the Sydney audience.

The event was also aired on select Indian news channels, allowing a wider audience to experience the splendor and grandeur of the occasion.

PNN

National Theatre Festival- 2023: Day 2

Bhubaneswar: Artistes of Samagam Rangamandal of Jabalpur(MP) performed the Hindi play Bhoomi on the second evening of Fifth National Theatre Festival -2023 here at Rabindra Mandap, Bhubaneswar.

Written by Ashis Pathak and directed by Swati Dubey, the play, adapted from the Vana Parva of the Mahabharata, depicted how women have been suffering for the expansion ambitions of men. Since ages, it has been a tendency for them to assert their dominance by expanding territories or Bhoomi resulting in misery and exclusion of women, which was deeply underlined in the play.

Apart from Dubey, others who performed on stage included Harshidsingh Thakur, Ankit Kumar, Bandit Sethi, Ayushi Rao and Naman Sen.

Theatre director Shatrughna Samal and journalist Sharmistha Panigrahi were conferred with Bidyakanak Samman.

Among the dignitaries present were Rotarian Jayshree Mohanty, playwright Maya Das, drama director Nibedita Jena and psychiatrist Dr Debadutta Mohapatra.

Suvakanta Padhi, the secretary of the hosting organisation, Bidyakana Srujanusthan, conducted the event.

PNN