Konark: The sixth edition of the Konark Folk Art Festival was celebrated on Sunday evening at the Raja Ram Math premises, located within the world-famous tourist spot of the Konark Sun Temple. The festival, which began on the 14th of the month, was organized by the Konark Natya Deep under the direction of Kalandi Charan Swain and supported by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and the Odisha State Government’s Department of Odia Language, Literature, and Culture.
In this celebration, distinguished guests, including renowned tabla player Guru Kulamani Sahu, Konark’s Forest Officer Sudarshan Dehuri, cultural researcher Baba Shaktidev Shatpathi, veteran educator and social worker Ramakrishna Mahanti, former councilor Pratap Gochayat, senior social worker Prafulla Kumar Patra, and nature lover Lingaraj Nayak, participated. They expressed the importance of collective efforts to revive and preserve folk art for future generations.
The festival highlighted India’s ancient cultural heritage, with performances such as Odissi, Sambalpuri dance, tabla performances, and other cultural programs showcasing traditional folk art forms. During the evening, a program organized by State Award-winning teacher Pratap Kumar Raut was also conducted. The event was managed by the festival’s director, Nityananda Maharana, and other key organizers.
The overall sentiment emphasized the need for government support, including financial packages, to ensure that folk art traditions continue to thrive and inspire future generations. The festival’s culmination underscored the crucial role of community and state collaboration in preserving cultural heritage.