Ganjam Folk Artists Meet President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan

More than 90 folk artists from Ganjam district on Tuesday visited Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi and had the opportunity to meet and interact with President Droupadi Murmu.

The artists, representing five prominent cultural groups from Ganjam, were led by District Collector V. Keerthi Vasan. They received a warm welcome upon their arrival at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The visit followed the President’s recent tour of Ganjam, where tribal and folk dance troupes performed traditional music and dances at Taptapani during a cultural programme organised by the district administration. Impressed by the performances, President Murmu had invited the artists to visit Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The participating groups included Maa Dandakali Group of Subarnagad, Sanrachana Group of Berhampur, Tulasi Group of Sorada, Gouranga Basudev Nama Sankirtan Mandali of Katapalli and Saura Traditional Cultural Natya Sangha of Khemundikhole.

During the interaction, President Murmu enquired about the artists’ well-being and experiences. She emphasised that preserving, practising and promoting traditional art and culture is a collective responsibility. She also encouraged young artists to pursue their studies sincerely and strive for excellence in their chosen fields.

The President advised them to become self-reliant and work towards bringing greater recognition to their families and cultural heritage. She particularly appreciated the rich traditions of the Saura tribal community of Ganjam.

The artists described the interaction, which lasted over 30 minutes, as an unforgettable experience. They also visited several historical and tourist attractions in New Delhi.

The delegation was accompanied by Additional Sub-Collector Partha Sarathi Hansda, District Culture Officer Aditi Acharya, Manoj Kumar Pradhan and other officials of the Ganjam district administration.