OdishaLIVE Bureau
Harvest festival celebrated at the gulf nation
The Odisha Samaj of UAE celebrated Nuakhai, the harvest festival of the western region of Odisha at the Indian Consulate Auditorium in Dubai. Mr. Prem Chand, honorable Consul of Passport & Community Affairs, was chief guest of the event and inaugurated the programme with lighting of the lamp to Maa Samalei, the presiding deity of Western Odisha.
The programme commenced with a Bandana (prayer song) to Maa Samalei followed by offering of ‘Nua Dhana’ (newly harvested wheat) to Maa Samalei.
Mr. Amiya Mishra, President of Odisha Samaj UAE, said “This is part of our continuous efforts to bring out the cultural and festive heritage onto this part of the world and celebrate its richness among us on a foreign soil. The UAE is culturally rich and diverse as there are people from many countries living together embracing each other’s diversity as one.”
A tribute was given to late Mr.Prabhudatta Pradhan; music composer of world famous sambalpuri song ‘Rangabati’. His SonMr. Asim Pradhan was present to receive the honour on his behalf. Mr. Pradeep Bhol, acclaimed director of one of the most expensive regional movies titled ‘Chinni’ was also felicitated at the event.
A dance troupeflew in from Sambalpur in Western Odishato perform at the function. They kept the crowd engaged through out and were highly appreciated for their folk and tribal dance moves. Local performances included kids dancing to the tunes of traditional folk songs of Western Odisha.
