Nabarangpur: Under the patronage of the leading social service organization LET’S WALK TOGETHER, a grand Raja Festival celebration was organized at the Soura Sahi Kalyan Mandap in Nabarangpur. The event featured a day-long cultural extravaganza, including musical performances, literary discussions, poetry recitals, and traditional art showcases.
The festival was held under the guidance of the organization’s chief advisor Jagannath Mahapatra and founder Aparajita Satapathy. The evening’s main program witnessed the presence of chief guest Gauri Shankar Majhi, MLA of Nabarangpur, and keynote speaker Debadash Mahankuda, member of Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi. Other cultural figures included Dhiren Mohan Pattnaik from Jaypur’s Sthira Ghungura organization, renowned comedian Gopal Krishna Samantaray, and humorist duo Tuna Tun Tun from Jaypur and Rayagada.
Speakers at the event emphasized the cultural and social significance of the Raja Mahotsav. In the third session, Rabindra Tripathy presided, and Sunandini Tripathy anchored the stage.
Ten well-known selfless social workers from within and outside the district were felicitated for their exceptional service. Those honored included Bhagaban Bahinipati, Sarat Chandra Mahapatra, Manoj Kumar Panigrahi, Manohar Tripathy, Bikram Dash, Akhila Bhatt, Barun Dhanphul, Nagendra Pattnaik, Deen Dayal Jain, and Prabhanjan Tripathy.
The inaugural session of the event was opened by Jagannath Mahapatra and presided over by Nirupama Tripathy, with G.V.V. serving as the stage host.
Competitions were held in traditional pitha (cake) making, jhoti (ritual art), costume design, and music, with winners receiving certificates and awards.
The second session, dedicated to literary discussions and poetry reading, was chaired by Ram Prasad Patra and anchored by poet Sabyasachi Bishoyi. Distinguished guests and speakers included Dr. Bijay Mishra, Bijay Choudhury, former member of Odisha Sahitya Akademi Jemamani Bishoyi, Bulu Hota, poet Simon Bitika, and Sudhiraj Raut.
In the evening, Gopal Pal, Gopal Krishna Samantaray, and Tuna Tun Tun entertained the audience with their humorous performances. Under the coordination of Udita Bhanu, singers Suresh Mishra, Kasturi Rath, and Bijay Panigrahi led a vibrant musical program.
Judges for the competitions included Bijay Choudhury, Jemamani Bishoyi, Suresh Mishra, Jampuri Rath, Bijay Panigrahi, Kaushalya Pradhan, Sushila, Akhila Bhaman, Manoj Pattnaik, and Sharmistha Deo.
The event was efficiently coordinated with support from Satyanarayan Nayak (Principal, Vidyarthi Mahavidyalaya), Dr. Bijay Mishra, Prof. Akhila Bhatt, Deen Dayal Jain, Sarat Chandra Mahapatra, Udita Bhanu, and Babita Sahu, among others.
A large number of intellectuals, cultural enthusiasts, and women from both the district and beyond participated enthusiastically, especially enjoying the Raja Doli (traditional swings) as part of the festive celebration.
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