Ex-President inaugurates colourful Odia festival

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New Delhi: Attributing unique culture, heritage, tradition and ethnic cuisines of the state, the 3rd edition of Odisha Parba commenced in New Delhi Friday.
Former President and Bharat Ratna Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the three days long festival and addressed the Odia community here.
“It’s indeed a privilege for me to present amongst you. I’m happy that Odia Samaj, particularly in Delhi, has been organizing this Parba since 2017. It has received very wide acceptance and response from the large number of Odia community, who are living in Delhi. Many important feature of Odisha’s legacy particularly of its maritime exercises has been displayed in this festival,” said Mukherjee.
Pranab Mukherjee also lauded the rich history of Odisha. “The theme ‘maritime legacy of Odisha’ for this festival is quite relevant. Odisha has a very rich history in various fields. Odisha has begun its maritime exercises 350 BC. In the 1st century, Odisha was considered as one of the prominent state of the country in maritime trade. For this reason, the state was involved in maritime trade in the entire South-East Asia. Starting from China Sea to Indian Ocean, Odias had spread their empire in maritime trade,” said Mukherjee.
He also said that there are references in the Buddhist literature which tells that in ancient times the people in Odisha were interested in maritime exercises starting from the ship building to sailing across the sea.
Spread over a large area at the India Gate here, the Odisha Parba has brought plethora of delicious treats, traditional handloom sarees, dress materials and handcrafted jewellery to Delhiites.
In the food section, the street food from Cuttack, Berhampur and Sambalpur and Odia thali, Salepur Rasgulla has been displaying the rich cuisines of Odisha.
Top names from the entertainment industry of Odisha enthralled the audience. Gananayak Panchakam by Debadhara Group, Mahuria dada, a colourful dance by Bhumia tribes of Odisha, Traditional Mukha dance, an Odissi dance titled ‘Moksha’ and a fusion of Odissi and Bharatnatyam titled ‘Tandanu’ by Guru Madhumita Raut and troupe spellbound the audience on the inaugural evening.