Nabarangpur, 3rd Oct 2025: On the occasion of Odisha’s 38th Natya Sangha Day, a discussion circle was organized by the Nabarangpur Tridhara Natya Sangha at the local Sai Kalyan Mandap. The event was held under the chairmanship of Jagannath Behera, president of Tridhara Natya Sangha and a dramatist. Present artists discussed how stage drama can regain its importance in today’s digital and AI era, and what role theatre organizations should play in this context.
Artists who began their acting careers in stage drama expressed their views that actors can properly present all kinds of acting styles including television serials, telefilms, and films. The chief speaker, Chidananda Pattnayak, emphasized that efforts to keep stage drama alive—from oil lamps to the present digital light and AI era—should continue.
The president, Sri Jagannath Behera, stated that efforts must go on to revive and sustain stage drama in today’s times. Lakshmi Narayan Tripathy stressed the need for active involvement of theatre groups and providing opportunities to new artists to attract them towards stage acting despite the current adverse circumstances.
Shiv Shankar Tripathy, president of Bande Utkala Lokakala and Lokasanskriti Sangha, highlighted that the organization is striving to encourage folk arts and bring hidden talents in stage acting to the limelight.
Two senior artists, Chidananda Pattnayak and Lakshmi Narayan Tripathy, were felicitated at the event. The discussion circle was managed by Devi Prasad Tripathy.
Other notable attendees included Trishakti Cine Combines president and TV director Manoj J Kumar Pattnayak, senior actor Ashok Panda, district president of Bande Utkala Lokakala and Lokasanskriti Sangha Shiv Shankar Tripathy, Nityananda Mahanti, Bibhudatta Sethi, Nirmal Sahu, Pindu Shatrushalya, Srinibas Patra, Prakashini Chaudhury, Abhashri Dash, Bijay Barik, Gaur Hari Tripathy, Ritesh Pujari, and Raghunath Rath.
At the end, Ms. Abhashri Dash offered the vote of thanks.