Chitrakonda, 20th Sept 2025: A district-level Folk Artists’ Convention was held at the Niladrinagar Kalyan Mandap in Balimela, celebrating and emphasizing the importance of folk culture, traditional dance and music, and indigenous musical instruments.
The event was organized by the Bade Utkal Lokakala o Loksanskriti Mahasangha, and was presided over by renowned Nataguru Bhagaban Hantal.
Key dignitaries included:
Chief Guest: Pramod Kumar Dash (State Executive Chairman)
Keynote Speaker: Jagannath Behera (Southern Region President)
Guests of Honour: Naveen Satapathy, Dhanurjaya Hantal, Shibashankar Tripathy, social worker Randhakar Dash, Srinibas Patra
District Association Vice President: Ghenu Muduli
The event focused on the need to preserve local art and culture and encourage folk artists, especially in the face of rising influence from external modern cultures. Speakers urged participants to stay rooted in their traditions and resist being swayed by outside cultural influences.
The convention also addressed various challenges faced by folk artists.
Later, performers from both within the district and outside showcased their traditional folk dance and musical performances.
As part of the occasion, outstanding artists were felicitated and awarded certificates of appreciation.
Among the notable participants and contributors were:
Nataguru Krushna Bagh
Mukunda Nayak
Bishwajit Biswas
Gautam Mandal
Damuru Hantal
Nirmala Ekka
Sonali Padiami
Geeta Heera
Amal Mandal
Keshab Sabar
Prakash Chandra Kundh, among others, who actively contributed to the event’s smooth conduct and success.
