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Monday, January 10, 2011

Kalahandi Utsav - Most Popular Fair of Kalahandi


Kalahandi Utsav is a great fair of Kalahandi District of Orissa. It also the most popular festival in Kalahandi. It is a platform to encourage, motivate and show case the art, culture, music, drama, literature, handy crafts and to place the strength globally. The Utsav starts from the first day of Makar Sankranti and continues for four days at District head quarter Bhawanipatna and Sub‐division Dharamgarh simultaniously but now it organising block wise in district. Artists from Kalahandi as well as across India every year participate in this Utsav. Kalahandi Utsav was initiated by Mr. P.K. Jena, esteemed Ex‐collector of Kalahandi in the year 1996. Then it was organized at Sub‐division level at Dharamgarh by Ex‐Sub‐ Collector Mr. V. Karthikeya Pandian in 2003.

The final function of the mega annual cultural event of Kalahandi ‐ Kalahandi Utsav Ghumura‐ 2010 organised by Zilla Sanskruti Parishad ‐ is scheduled to be held from January 14th to 17th at Lalbahadur stadium of Bhawanipatna and simultaneously in the Sub‐divisional head quarter at Dharamgarh. Artists from all across the State and country will perform a series of folk dances. These include Raibani martial art dance from West Bengal, Mewasi from Gujarat, Bodo dance from Assam, Chau from Saraikala and Mayurbhanj, Ghodanach from Sakhigopal, Sabda Nrutya from Kumbhari, Pasunrutya from Bhanjangar besides Ghumra, Singhbadya, Ghodar dance forms from Kalahandi.

Apart from these, Pallishree Mela, KBK Craft Mela, Food Mela and agriculture fair will be organized in 258 stalls at the Lalbahadur stadium. Volley ball tournament among youths of KBK Districts, Kabi Sammelani and a seminar will also be held. On the eve of the Utsav, the Ghumura dance marathon will be organised. At Dharamgarh, besides cultural shows the major attraction will be an exhibition Namaste Kalahandi showcasing culture, heritage, and literature and development aspects of Kalahandi.