Jamshedpur : T. V. Narendran, managing director, Tata Steel inaugurated the Utkal Utsav at the Tata Auditorium in XLRI campus today. The one-day cultural extravaganza has been planned keeping in view the cosmopolitan taste of the city. The event was aimed to uplift the art, craft and culture of Odisha in the steel city.
Utkal Mahila Samiti, in association with Utkal Association and two other similar outfits � Golmuri Utkal Samaj and Utkal Bandhav Samiti �organised Utkal Utsav, an Odia cultural programme, at Tata Auditorium on Sunday.
� Preservation of Odia language and culture in the Odia speaking tracts has been of great concern for all of us. We are spearheading the movement of outlying Odias to give them the semblance of identity,� said TC Mohanty, general secretary, Utkal Association.
Mohanty said in several states the Odia educational infrastructure was in doldrums owing to which students pursuing education in the Odia medium were facing acute problems.
About three kiosks of patachitra displayed picture frames, sarees in the pattern and also dress materials to woo customers. A kiosk of dokra and junk jewellery also attracted ladies from the city.
Also there was a Odisi fusion dance with locking and popping as a treat to the eyes and of course dancers with dummy horses enthralled the audience with the traditional ghoda nacha of Odisha, which is traditionally performed by the fishermen community.
Culture was the other important subject that was dealt with by the delegates thoroughly during the session.Adequate attention will be paid to revive the diminishing moral beliefs and ethics that were once the corner stone of the Odia culture.
The other important task on the agenda is to enlighten young delegates about the reasons why Odia culture has always charmed the tourists and the students of the cultural history, since centuries.