Saahi Jaata of Puri, Odisha

Saahi means locality. Jaata means Yatra or Festival. Saahi Jaata (ସାହି ଯାତ) is believed to have begun in 12th/13th century in Puri, Odisha. 'Durga Medha' (ଦୁର୍ଗା ମେଢ) was shown in the Lokanritya and Lokabadya Utsav [State Level Folk Dances and Music Festival] held on 25 Feb, 2015 at Bhanja Kala Mandap, Bhubaneswar. During Dussehra Festival, dance on this theme is generally done in Saahi Jaata- the Raam Lila of Odisha.

Watch how Goddess Durga charms all by dominating the stage! She dances wearing heavy mask and costume of many kgs, to the tune of beating drums, local trumpet, shouts and shower of flowers on-stage!

Lokanritya and Lokabadya Utsav, Bhubaneswar

Rajya-Stariya Lokanritya and Lokabadya Utsav [State Level Folk Dances and Music Festival] was held on 25 and 26 February, 2015 at Bhanja Kala Mandap, Bhubaneswar. After organising the recently concluded and most wonderful events like the Luptapraya Loka Kala Utsav [Festival showcasing Dying Regional Arts] and the Sankirtan Mahotsav, kudos to Odisha Sangeet Natak Academy and Department of Culture, Govt. of Odisha for organising another brilliant festival showcasing Odisha's vibrant culture!

#Odisha Loka Nritya & Loka Badya Utsav will start soon @ BhanjaKalaMandap #Bhubaneswar.Com & join fast! #ttot #travel pic.twitter.com/zb65TMXEur
— Amrita Sabat (@rocking_amsa) February 25, 2015

 

About Lokanritya and Lokabadya Utsav:

Sankirtan Mahotsav in Bhubaneswar, Odisha

Sankirtan Mahotsav was recently held in Bhanja Kala Mandap, Bhubaneswar from 21-22 February 2015. 30 groups had been called- one representing each district of the eastern state of Odisha in India.

At #Sankirtan #Mahotsav BhanjaKalaMandap #Bhubaneswar! Frenzied atmosphere! #ClassicalOdia wow! #ttot @odisha_tourism pic.twitter.com/cRZX7OMEw3
— Amrita Sabat (@rocking_amsa) February 21, 2015

'Sankirtan' means singing devotional songs for Lord Krishna, in the company of good people. Mainly inspired by Vaishnavite Saint Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu since 16th Century AD, in Odisha, this rich tradition continues and Bhakti songs are sung in praise of Lord Jagannath - Lord of the Universe.

Dhunkel- Rare Musical Instrument from Western Odisha, India

'Dhunkel' musical instrument is also known as 'Dhanakoila'. It makes a continuous beating sound, with accompanying vocals praising the Lord. Things used for making of Dhunkel are Dhanu (Bow) and Kula (domestic utensil to winnow grain made of bamboo), covered over an earthern pot and a Dhunkel stick is used to beat it to produce a unique beating sound. This instrument is used in eastern, western, Southern Odisha. Watch this rare musical instrument being played:

Bhalubansi- rare musical instrument from Western Odisha, India

Bhalubansi, is an ancient wind instrument (Susira Badya) from Western Odisha. It was one among many rare and dying musical instruments played at recently concluded Luptapraya Loka Kala Utsav [Festival showcasing Dying Regional Arts]. Not just Bhalubansi, but Brahmabeena and Dhunkel were also played as part of same performance.

2de 6:30 pm BhanjaKalaMandap #Bhubaneswar 3 rare #Odisha instrumnts 2 b played: bhalubansi,dhunkel,brahmabeena! #ttot pic.twitter.com/KNu9v6On9i
— Amrita Sabat (@rocking_amsa) February 19, 2015

About Luptapraya Loka Kala Utsav:

Kendara Badya, rare musical instrument from Jagatsinghpur district, Odisha

Kendara Badya, is a rare stringed musical instrument from Jagatsinghpur district, Odisha. It was one among many rare and dying musical instruments played at recently concluded Luptapraya Loka Kala Utsav [Festival showcasing Dying Regional Arts].

'Music Tree': Innovative concept having 32 rare instruments on it

About the Luptapraya Loka Kala Utsav:

Suta Kandhei Nacha (String Puppet Dance) of Ganjam district, Odisha

Odisha has a rich tradition of puppetry. Various forms of puppetry such as Glove (Kandhei), Rod (Kathi Kandhei) , String (Suta Kandhei) and Shadow (Ravan Chhaya) puppetry are all found in different districts of Odisha.

Source: http://ccrtindia.gov.in/puppetforms.php

Now, as promised, I'm revealing the suspense I had talked about in my previous post- that photo was of a String Puppetry Show! Here goes another click from the same:

Luptapraya Loka Kala Utsav [Festival of Dying Regional Arts], Bhubaneswar, Odisha

Luptapraya Loka Kala Utsav [Festival showcasing Dying Regional Arts] was organised by Odisha Sangeet Natak Academy and Department of Culture, Govt. of Odisha from 18-19 Feb 2015 at Bhanja Kala Mandap, Bhubaneswar.

A one-of-its-kind, innovative 'Music Tree', conceptualised by Mr. Rabi Ratan Sahu had been set up there. It had about 32 rare musical instruments, and looked stunningly beautiful!

Rare #music tree @ BhanjaKalaMandap #Bhubaneswar whr rare dances of #Odisha 2 b shown!Luptapraya Lokakala Utsav #ttot pic.twitter.com/D05ZHt43GG
— Amrita Sabat (@rocking_amsa) February 19, 2015

Rabi Ratan Sahu is not just a talented choreographer and dancer, but an ace researcher on Odisha's folk musical instruments and dances, especially of western Odisha region.

Odia Micropoetry: Dedicated to my beautiful city of Bhubaneswar!

I

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ନାହିଁ କୌଣସି ସହର ଏହି ଜଗତରେ,

ମୋ ଭୁବନେଶ୍ବରଠାରୁ ସୁନ୍ଦର!

ଏହାର କଳା, ସଂସ୍କୃତି, ସଭ୍ୟତାକୁ,

କୋଟି କୋଟି ପ୍ରଣାମ ମୋର!

II

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ମୋ ସହର ଇଶ୍ଵରଙ୍କର ବି!

ଏଠାରେ ତାଙ୍କ ବାସଘର!

ଈଶ୍ଵରଙ୍କ ସେବାରେ ମୁଁ ରହିଲି,

ହୋଇ ଝିଅ ଭୁବନେଶ୍ବରର!

Mukteswar Temple of Bhubaneswar Source

Dhabaleswar Temple at Dhauligiri, Bhubaneswar, Odisha

Happy Mahashivratri to all! Today is the festival of Shiva, one among the Trinity of Lords in Hindu religion. As per mythology, Shiva married Parvati today. So, it is considered most auspicious. People keep fast and pray all through the night invoking Lord Shiva.

In Hinduism there are 33 crore Gods and Goddesses, but the Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara (Shiva) are the chief among them, apart from Shakti or Goddess who is considered most powerful.

In one of the G+ messages I read today, this intriguing fact was refreshed in my mind: The Lords who drank Amrit or nectar became 'Dev' (Lord) while the one who drank poison became 'Devon ke Dev' (Lord of Lords) or 'Mahadev' (Great Lord) ,that is, Shiva.

3rd International Buddhist Conference, Bhubaneswar, Odisha

Ever since I had seen the below tweet on @odisha_tourism handle, I had been very excited to be a part of 3rd International Buddhist Conference from 13-15 February 2015! 

We are organising the 3rd International Conference on Buddhist Heritage of Odisha from 13th to 15th Feb. pic.twitter.com/3CzRF5RPUU
— Odisha Tourism (@odisha_tourism) February 5, 2015

Coming to know of the attractive itinerary, I was super-charged and decided that I would anyhow attend this promising event in the City of Temples, my beautiful city of Bhubaneswar.

#Nabakalebara 2015 at #Puri #Odisha

Nabakalebara is among the most unique and rare festivals of the Lord in the world. In the Bhagwad Gita, Lord Krishna has conveyed- "The body will get destroyed upon death. But just as we change into new clothes from old, so also the immortal soul will simply enter into new bodies but will never itself get destroyed".

Nabakalebara Logo from Odisha Tourism Website (Official Source)

Encompassing this deep-seated Hindu belief is the inimitable, one-of-its-kind festival in the entire world, called Nabakalebara. Naba means new and kalebara means body. Lord Jagannath is the presiding deity of Puri, Odisha who is considered as a Vishnu Avatar or a form of Lord Krishna.

Krishna: Series of Micropoetry

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Intoxicated

By the music

Of His flute

All my blues

Got an escape route 

II

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My first published poem in Writer's Ezine!

Cupid's month of February 2015 has started on a great and lucky note for me! I had submitted my poem for the first time to Writer's Ezine or WE in January 2015. I was pleasantly surprised to receive a 'Congratulations' e-mail today which also had a badge in my name!

My joy has known no bounds since then! So what better way to celebrate than to share my joy on my blog?! :)