Jeypore, Dec, 29: On the second evening of the State-Level Folk Festival “Parab–2025”, a huge crowd gathered despite the severe cold. The event was held at the Parab ground under the chairmanship of District Collector and Parab Committee Chairman Manoj Satyaban Mahajan.
The Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management, Suresh Pujari, attended the programme as the Chief Guest. Among the distinguished guests were Koraput MLA Raghuram Machh, Kotpad MLA Rupu Bhatra, Koraput SP Rohit Verma, Zilla Parishad Chairperson Sasmita Melaka, CDO Benudhar Sabar, and Jeypore Sub-Collector Akbaram Satya Reddy.
The guests spoke about the objectives and significance of the Parab festival. The Chief Guest stated that the tribal festival of Koraput district is one of the finest district-level folk festivals in the country. Students of the Koraput School for the Visually Impaired presented a welcome song. District Collector Manoj Satyaban Mahajan delivered the welcome address, while CDO Benudhar Sabar proposed the vote of thanks.
On this occasion, sportsperson Laxman Dishari was honoured with the Parab Award for his achievements in the field of sports.
After the formal session, a vibrant cultural programme was held. Performances included dance by Manas Antevasi, Maliput Melody, Dhemsa dance from Pottangi and Nandapur, Bonda dance from Malkangiri, Mallakhamb dance by Shreya Panda from Puri, animal mask dance by Shyamghan Behera from Ganjam, Lavani dance by Vidya Bhaveng from Nagpur, Maharashtra, and energetic Hamsufi performances, which made the Parab stage reverberate with excitement.
The audience thoroughly enjoyed the cultural evening and danced along with the performances. Besides these, several cultural troupes from within the state and outside Odisha presented various programmes, captivating the hearts of the spectators.