A rich amalgamation of folk arts from Western Odisha set the Kala Vikas Kendra pulsating on Wednesday at the Raangabati Festival. Named after the famous Sambalpuri song Rangabati Rangabati, the three-day event showcased the authentic flavour of music and dance forms of Western Odisha. It was organised by the Tourism and Culture Department in collaboration with the Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi.
While Kalahandi-based singer Sarbeswar Bhoi was the largest audience puller for his solo performance on day one, on Wednesday, songs by Sasmita Sahu of Sundargarh was the major attraction. The third day of the festival began with Sambalpuri renditions by Bibhuti Patnaik. It was not just the songs but instruments too were essentially those used in Western Odisha. The singers were accompanied by authentic Sambalpuri instruments such as ‘dhola’, ‘mahuri’, ‘jhanja, ‘nisan’ and ‘tasa’.
Simultaneous exhibition of dance and music, which is considered as the most attractive part of the western Odisha culture, was another attraction of the festival.
On the inaugural day, Dulduli Kala Parishad of Balangir performed with various percussion instruments followed by Sambalpuri dance by Nupur Institute of Barpali. The evening concluded with orchestra by Jivanbhora Sagar of Sambalpur who also performed on traditional musical instruments. The concluding item was ‘Singhari by Prativa Institution of Bhawanipatna which was a beautiful blend of ‘Ghumura’, ‘Bajasal’, ‘Banabadi’, ‘Dhap’ and other traditional instruments. They presented songs of nature and everyday life.
The second evening of Rangabati saw a blend of performances of musical instruments by artistes of Bharni Institution from Balangir and ‘Rangabati’ and ‘Jamudali’ dances presented by Paenri institution from Subarnapur. Next was a musical ensemble by Kahar group from Sambalpur and the evening concluded with ‘Dalkhai’ and ‘Rasarkeli’ dances presented by the artistes of Sambalpur Kala Kendra. Singer Bibhuti Patnaik’s sensational renditions and the captivating dance items staged by artistes of cultural troupes Maa Manikeswar Melody Group, Bhawanipatna, Sambalpuri Folk Academy of Gaisilet and Mayuree from Sundargarh made the concluding day of the Rangabati festival a memorable affair.