The State Museum would soon get a special audio-visual and photo gallery on the folk art and craft traditions of Odisha. This apart, all the folk dance and music forms will be documented, said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik after inaugurating the third State-level folk dance and music festival at Utkal Mandap here on Tuesday.
“Folk art forms have given Odisha a special identity and such festivals would help to save them,” he said.
Cultural practices like Chhau, Pala, Daskathia, Khanjini Bhajan, Lauri, Paika, Danda, Dhemsa and Ghoda Nacha are intrinsic to Odia culture. The Chief Minister had earlier directed the Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi to prepare a data base of the performing artistes and the groups involved in the perpetuating the dying folk arts and recommend the State Government for provision of pension to indigent artistes.
Two years back the State Government had announced formation of the district and block-level societies of arts and culture - Zilla Kala Samskruti Sangha (ZKSS) and Block Kala Samskruti Sangha (BKSS) - that would help folk artistes earn livelihood through their performances. “And till date, 6,400 folk art troupes have been formed and 70,000 folk artistes registered themselves with the various ZKSS and BKSS,” the Chief Minister said. He added that a revolving fund of `7 crore has been set aside for the purpose by the Culture Department.
Besides, all the official advertisements relating to the developmental and welfare schemes and having public importance are being taken up in principle involving the folk art and artistes of the State. “Under the ICE (Information-Education-Communication) programmes being implemented to make people aware of the development programmes, services of the folk artistes is being utilised as that would provide them livelihood while providing patronage to the folk arts,” he added.
Over 2,000 artistes from across the State are participating. Artistes of 10 different districts will participate every day. The first day included folk art forms like Gotipua from Puri, tribal Nagra dance from Sundargarh, Jodi Sankha from Ganjam, and Paika Akhada from Khurda. The festival will continue till April 4.