Kandhei Nat (puppet theatre), a living cultural tradition of rural Odisha and one of the state’s oldest art forms, is slowly facing extinction amid rapid modernization. However, efforts such as the National Puppet Theatre Festival are playing a vital role in preserving, promoting and reviving this rich traditional art while introducing it to the younger generation.

The two-day festival is being organised on December 18 and 19 at Bhanja Kala Mandap, under the joint aegis of the Odisha Department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture and the Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi.

Participation from Across India

According to organisers, a total of 13 puppet theatre troupes are participating in the festival—eight from Odisha and five from other Indian states, including Kerala, Karnataka, Rajasthan and West Bengal. The festival showcases diverse forms of puppetry such as string puppets (Suta Kandhei), rod puppets (Kathi Kandhei) and shadow puppetry (Chhaya Kandhei), reflecting both traditional and contemporary styles.

Performances Highlight Cultural Diversity

The opening performance featured “Vande Mataram”, presented by the Shri Ram Shadow Theatre Research Centre of Khamar, Angul district, which deeply impressed the audience. This was followed by notable performances including Sakhi Kandhei Nat by Parameswar Singh of Kendrapada, Gopalila Kandhei Nat by Jagabandhu Behera of Bhanjanagar, Ravana Chhaya by Gouranga Charan Das of Angul, and Ramlila Kandhei Nat by Chakradhar Parida of Keonjhar.

A major highlight of the festival was the contemporary puppet theatre performance by Amarendranath Naskar from South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, along with a captivating shadow theatre presentation by Gunduraju from Karnataka, which received wide appreciation from the audience.

Preserving a Living Tradition

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Vijay Ketan Upadhyay, Secretary of the Department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture, said such initiatives aim to rejuvenate Odisha’s art and cultural heritage. He urged young people to attend and experience these traditional performances, emphasising that Kandhei Nat remains a living cultural tradition in rural Odisha.

“The National Puppet Theatre Festival not only helps in the wide promotion of Kandhei Nat but also enables today’s youth to understand and connect with our rich cultural legacy,” he said.

The festival stands as a significant step towards safeguarding Odisha’s traditional performing arts while fostering cultural exchange at the national level.

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The three-day Odisha Parba 2025, held from 15th to 17th November at The Lalit Ashok in Bengaluru, concluded today with grandeur. Thousands of participants, including members of the Odia community, tourists, artisans, and culture enthusiasts, attended the festival, celebrating Odisha’s vibrant heritage, arts, cuisine, handicrafts, and tourism.

A Celebration of Odisha’s Culture

The festival highlighted Odisha’s rich cultural traditions and artistic excellence. Visitors were treated to a display of the state’s handicrafts, handlooms, traditional foods, and immersive tourism experiences. Each segment of the exhibition received immense appreciation from attendees, reflecting Odisha’s thriving craftsmanship and cultural identity.

Organized collaboratively by the Tourism Department, Handicrafts & Handloom Division, Odia Language, Literature & Culture Department, Odisha Tribal Development Cooperative Corporation Ltd, Mission Shakti, and Odisha Rural Development & Marketing Society (ORMAS), the event successfully showcased Odisha’s heritage and traditions on a prominent national platform.

Performances and Live Demonstrations

The festival featured a range of cultural activities, beginning with traditional dance and music performances, live craft demonstrations, and curated culinary counters. From tribal art forms and classical traditions to contemporary creative expressions, the event offered a comprehensive cultural experience for families, tourists, students, and art lovers.

The celebrations fostered strong cultural ties between Odisha and Karnataka, creating an interactive and engaging platform for visitors to explore and connect with Odisha’s artistic and traditional legacy.

Platform for Artisans and Entrepreneurs

Odisha Parba also provided artisans, weavers, and entrepreneurs an opportunity to showcase their work, gain market visibility, and interact with influential buyers, travelers, and cultural leaders in Bengaluru. Visitors lauded the festival for highlighting Odisha’s craftsmanship and tourism potential, emphasizing the growing interest in Odisha’s cultural and artisanal offerings.

Tourism and Investment Discussions

On the final day, a dedicated session was held where Shri Balwant Singh, Commissioner & Secretary of the Tourism Department, met with potential investors from resorts, farms, real estate, hotels, and destination management companies (DMCs). Discussions focused on emerging opportunities in Odisha’s tourism ecosystem, future collaboration, and investment prospects.

Following this, a tourism roadshow brought together Karnataka’s leading tour operators, travel professionals, travel associations, and hospitality stakeholders. The event showcased Odisha’s latest tourism initiatives, infrastructure, connectivity improvements, and potential investment opportunities. Senior officials and industry experts facilitated interactive sessions with local participants, strengthening cooperation and opening new avenues for tourism growth between Odisha and Karnataka.

A Strong Cultural and Tourism Connect

Odisha Parba 2025 reinforced Odisha’s position as a vibrant and rapidly growing tourist destination. It celebrated the state’s culture, creativity, and traditions while fostering meaningful collaborations between Odisha and southern India. The event concluded on a high note, leaving lasting memories and marking a significant milestone in Odisha’s ongoing efforts to expand its cultural and tourism footprint across the country.

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Baliyatra Begins on the Banks of the Mahanadi

As the crisp winter breeze sweeps across the river Mahanadi, the historic city of Cuttack is all set to celebrate one of its most revered festivals — Baliyatra. Beginning today, this week-long fair transforms the Gadagadia Ghata into a dazzling spectacle of trade, tradition, and tribute.

Renowned as Asia’s largest open trade fair, Baliyatra attracts lakhs of visitors from across the world every year. But beyond its vibrant lights and colourful stalls, the festival’s spirit lies in its ancient roots — in the stories of Odisha’s brave Sadhabas, the seafarers of Kalinga who once sailed across the seas to distant lands.

Tracing the Origins of Baliyatra

The name “Baliyatra”, derived from the Sanskrit phrase meaning “Voyage to Bali”, commemorates Odisha’s glorious maritime heritage. Historically, the festival was observed on Kartik Purnima, the full moon day of the Hindu month of Kartik, when Odia mariners set sail for trade expeditions to Southeast Asia — particularly to the island of Bali in present-day Indonesia.

These fearless sailors, known as Sadhab Puas, embarked on their journeys more than 2,000 years ago, navigating the monsoon winds in massive wooden boats called Boitas with wide, white Ajhala sails. Their voyages were celebrated in classical literature, such as Sarala Das’s Mahabharata and Kalidasa’s Raghuvamsa, which immortalised them as the “brave sons of Kalinga.”

A Window into Ancient Trade and Exploration

From Bali, Java (Yawadvipa), Sumatra, and Borneo to Sri Lanka, Burma, and even the coasts of Rome and Africa, these ancient traders established a vast network of commerce and culture. Odisha’s exports included spices, textiles, and precious metals, while exotic goods such as ivory, silk, and gems made their way back to the Kalingan shores — enriching both its economy and its culture.

This maritime enterprise turned ancient Odisha into a global hub of trade and cultural diplomacy, long before the rise of modern navigation.

Archaeological Footprints of a Glorious Past

The seafaring legacy of Kalinga is not confined to myth and legend — it is archaeologically verified. Excavations at sites like Manikpatna near Chilika Lake and Tamralipti (modern Tamluk) have unearthed Roman and Kushan coins, Chinese ceramics, and African artefacts, indicating deep trade connections across continents.

Even the famous giraffe sculpture on the Konark Sun Temple points to historical contact with Africa. Ports such as Palur and Pithunda thrived as bustling gateways of commerce, mentioned in ancient records like Ptolemy’s 2nd Geography and Kharavela’s Hathigumpha inscription.

Kalinga’s Global Cultural Footprint

By the 8th century A.D., the influence of Kalinga extended across Southeast Asia, merging into the Sailendra Empire and contributing to the architectural and spiritual development of Java and Bali. The Manjusri-Vastu text codified early architectural forms that influenced temple design in the region.

This era of “Greater India” was also a time of intellectual exchange — monks and scholars like Subhakara shared Buddhist teachings and sutras with China’s Tang dynasty, enriching monasteries such as Nalanda and beyond.

The Odia mariners not only carried goods but also spread language, art, cuisine, and spiritual practices, leaving cultural imprints that still resonate in shared traditions and festivals.

Living Traditions Across the Seas

Echoes of Odisha’s maritime legacy are still alive today in the rituals of Southeast Asia. In Bali’s Masakapan Ke Tukad and Thailand’s Loy Krathong, people float decorated boats with lamps on water — mirroring the Odia custom of Boita Bandana, when miniature boats are set afloat on Kartik Purnima to honour the spirit of the ancient sailors.

These shared practices stand as enduring reminders of a civilisational bond forged by courage, curiosity, and commerce.

Cuttack’s Timeless Connection to the Sea

Every year, as the lights of Baliyatra glow over the Mahanadi, Cuttack transforms into a living museum of Odisha’s past glory. The festival is not merely a fair — it is a celebration of the Odia soul, paying homage to generations of dreamers and explorers who turned the waves into pathways of friendship and prosperity.

With each passing year, Baliyatra continues to remind the world that Odisha’s maritime legacy was not just about trade — it was about building bridges across oceans that still connect hearts, cultures, and histories.

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The Soul of Odisha: Where Simplicity Meets Flavor

Odisha’s culture is a seamless blend of sea breeze and mountain calm — and so is its cuisine. It is a cuisine of simplicity, authenticity, and boundless love. As the Odia saying goes, “A peaceful stomach brings a peaceful heart.” From the cool comfort of dahi pakhala with baigana chutney in summer to steaming ghia bhata with crispy alu bhaja in winter, every dish carries the essence of Odia warmth and tradition.

The divine aroma of tanka torani, the wholesome richness of dalma, the sweet perfection of chenapoda, rasabali, and the eternal love for rasagola — all form part of Odisha’s culinary identity. Where 56 types of Mahaprasad are prepared daily for Lord Jagannath, food is not just nourishment, but devotion.

Girija Oak’s Heartfelt Tribute to Odia Food

Bollywood actress Girija Oak, who recently played Manoj Bajpayee’s wife in the film Inspector Jhandhe, has captured national attention not only for her acting but also for her affectionate praise of Odia cuisine.

In a post-release interview with Lallantop, when host Saurabh Dwivedi asked her about regional foods, Girija responded warmly:

“We always talk about Kashmiri, Bengali, South Indian, or Punjabi food, but Odisha’s cuisine never gets the limelight. According to me, Odia food is the best.”

She further shared her personal connection:

“My friend Rakesh Behera lives in Odisha. Whenever I visit, I eat food cooked by his mother. Her cooking is so good that I skip breakfast just to enjoy her Odia dishes!”

“Odias Are as Wonderful as Their Food”

During the same conversation, interviewer Saurabh Dwivedi added with admiration,

“It’s not just the food — Odia people are incredibly kind and hospitable. Whenever I visit Bhubaneswar, local journalist friends treat me with such warmth and take me to taste delicious dishes. No one can beat Odisha in hospitality.”

He also asked Girija if she had tasted chenapoda, to which she smiled and replied,

“Of course! How can anyone forget chenapoda? I absolutely love the burnt crust — it’s irresistible.”

Viral Moment of Pride for Odias

This interview has gone viral on social media, winning the hearts of Odias across the globe. Many have expressed gratitude to Girija Oak for bringing national recognition to Odisha’s food and hospitality.

Her remarks echo a growing sense of pride among Odias — that their culinary heritage and generosity deserve to be celebrated far beyond their borders. Odisha’s kitchen is not just a place of cooking; it is a space where love, culture, and spirituality meet.

As one online comment beautifully summed it up:

“Odisha’s food is not just about taste — it’s about emotion. Girija Oak has voiced what every Odia feels.”

A New Era for Odia Identity

Girija Oak’s heartfelt appreciation has given Odia cuisine and hospitality a place on the national stage. It symbolizes a new era of cultural pride, where Odisha’s flavors, traditions, and warmth are reaching the wider world.

Odia food, much like its people, is generous, soulful, and full of heart. And now, thanks to voices like Girija Oak’s, the rest of India is finally beginning to taste that love.

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