Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, May 25: The state government has decided to organise special programmes to promote the ongoing Nabakalebara festival in Puri.
Sources said the culture department is all set to rope in Orissa Sangeet Natak Akademi, Orissa Lalit Kala Akademi, Orissa Sahitya Akademi, Urdu Akademi and Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre for the purpose.
This was revealed at a meeting that was held to this effect here recently. The meeting also decided to repair and renovate several temples in Puri that are under the department. The department has set a deadline of June 15 for completion of the renovation work.
“We have decided to organise special programmes at the district-level across the state for which artistes will be selected soon,” culture director Sushil Kumar Das said.
The programmes would be based on the themes of the Nabakalebara festival and Jagannath consciousness. Cultural programmes in the holy city would be organised by Orissa Sangeet Natak Akademi for nine days during Nabakalebara and Rath Yatra. Art lovers and devotees can enjoy dance, drama and music in the evenings at Annapurna Theatre in Puri.
Orissa Lalit Kala Akademi would organise an art exhibition for women artists who would define the relationship of the Lord with the devotees on canvas. It was decided that each artist would be allowed to come up with one work of art. The venue, however, is yet to be finalised. Earlier, an art camp and exhibition titled ‘Nilakandara’ on Nabakalebara was organised in Puri.
Similarly, Orissa Sahitya Akademi would organise meetings for poetry recitation and book releases based on the Nabakalebara theme. Renowned litterateurs are expected to participate in the programmes.
This apart, it was also decided to release the next issue of ‘Konark’ magazine based on the theme of Nabakalebara.
A special book would be released by Urdu Akademi on this theme, sources said. The Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre would compile some traditional devotional songs into an album. The department had included folk artistes from several districts in the Banajaga Yatra, which concluded recently. Artistes like Shankirtan Mandalis would also participate during the Nabakalebara festival.
Meanwhile, the inner Banajaga Yatra is under way and Brahma Parivartan is scheduled for June 15.