Rayagada district cultural extravaganza Chaiti in December last week: this year with a new vibrant fervour
Dr.Badal Tah,Odishabarta
Rayagada, November 14: The long wait is now over. Chaiti, a district level festival will be celebrated from December 26 to 28 & to be dovetailed with Pallishri Mela on 29 & 30. The five days cultural extravaganza will witness a fusion of local tribal arts & crafts with the artistic endeavours of other districts of Odisha and out states. As usual, it attracts tourists and researchers, even foreigners to this mammoth jamboree of cultural synthesis.
This time with request of local MLA Appalaswami Kadraka and many participants, Collector Asutosh Kulkarni, who presided over a preparatory meeting, held on last Thursday, proposed Maa Manikeseari Temple at Kashipur block from where the pious Kalash will be brought on December 2. Within fifteen days, ie, by December 17 all the block level Chaiti festivals for one day each will be conducted. The concerned BDOs alongwith the Panchayat Samiti Chairpersons will plan the events and no event will overlap with each other, said Akshay Kumar Khemundu, Chief Development Officer-cum-Executive Officer, DRDA. Wherever possible the panchayats and PRI members will be involved and it is left to the discretion of the respective Panchayat Samiti. Su-divisional Chaiti named Idital will be solemnized at Gunupur from December 21 to 23.
There are different committees namely Reception, Stage Management, Sports, Cultural, Souvenir, Food, Fund Raising, Procession, etc for smooth management of this mega event. The persons wanting to be member of any committee should apply to Sasmita Bauri, District Culture Officer, Rayagada. The list will be scrutinized based upon the applicants’ competence and final committee will function immediately thereafter. But on an emergency basis, the stage committee under the supervision of Executive Engineer, PWD will oversee stage, fire, electricity, etc. For approaching donors and companies for finance, the fund management committee has to initiate it’s work soon, suggested Kulkarni.Some journalists complained that they were neglected during last two Chaitis and requested the Collector to at least recognise their efforts in publicizing everyday events worldwide. Some other opined to revamp and restructure District Council of Culture, which is conducting this people’s event.The transgender and Divyang associations appealed to include them in the event. A few artists were anguished over non-payment of their incentives and wages due to them of the yesteryear. Even Swathi Kumar, Superintendent of Police expressed not to be involved in the Sports Committee as she was also yet to receive payment for the expenses incurred during yesteryears. Moreover, the police will be damn busy in maintaining law and order during the entir
to make payment immediately within five days of the completion of Chaiti this time. The local companies will be requested to donate generously from their CSR funds, sad Kulkarni. The public applauded their statements in a grand way.The entire event was moderated by District Culture Officer Sasmita Bauri. Whereas Mahesh Pattanaik, Chairman, Rayagada Municipality, Saraswati Majhi, Zilla Parishad Chairperson, Abhishek Dilip Dudhal, Sub-Collector, Gunupur, Durga Prasad Panda, MP representative spoke on the occasion, Ramesh
