RAYAGADA: The five-day tribal festival, Chaiti Mahotshav and Pallishree Mela, began here on Saturday. Tourism and Culture Minister Ashok Panda inaugurated the festival that would see participation of more than 2,000 artistes from different parts of the State and outside.
It is being organised at GCD High School ground. Speaking on the occasion, Panda said Chaiti is the right platform for preservation of traditional tribal culture and showcasing it to the world. He announced to set up a tourist office in Rayagada district as it has a high tourism potential. “For this, the State Government will soon sanction `one crore,” he said. Prior to inauguration, a ‘mashal’ was brought from Maa Majhighariani temple by local artistes to the ground.
Some of the attractions of the festival would be Kathak, Chau, Gotipua and Mahari dance forms. As many as 15 cultural troupes including tribal troupes will perform.
Hundreds of dignitaries, public representatives from Odisha and Andhra Pradesh would witness the jamboree. District Supply and Marketing Society (DSMS) is organising the five- day Pallishree Mela on the sidelines of the festival. This year, 200 stalls selling household articles, forest produce and food products have been set up at the mela.
Chaiti festival, that showcases the tribal culture of Rayagada and other areas, is expected to draw more than two lakh people from different parts of the State.