Ganjam Folk Artists Meet President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan
Manoj Kanta Dash,Odishabarta
President Appreciates Ganjam’s Rich Folk, Tribal Art and Cultural Heritage; Urges Young Artists to Strive for Excellence
Chhatrapur, September 1, 2026: In a proud and memorable moment for Ganjam district, more than 90 folk artists representing the district’s rich folk, tribal art and cultural traditions on Tuesday visited Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi and had the honour of meeting and interacting with President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu.
The delegation, led by Ganjam District Collector V. Keerthi Vasan, comprised artists from five prominent cultural groups of the district. The artists received a warm welcome upon their arrival at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The special visit followed President Murmu’s recent visit to Ganjam, during which tribal and folk dance troupes from the district presented traditional dance and music performances at Taptapani as part of a cultural programme organised by the district administration. Impressed by the vibrant performances, the President had invited the artists to visit Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Responding to the invitation, artists from Maa Dandakali Group of Subarnagad in Sanakhemundi Block, Sanrachana Group of Berhampur, Tulasi Group of Sorada Block, Gouranga Basudev Nama Sankirtan Mandali of Katapalli in Sanakhemundi Block, and Saura Traditional Cultural Natya Sangha of Khemundikhole travelled to the national capital.
During the interaction, President Murmu enquired about the artists’ well-being and their experiences. She emphasised that preserving, practising and promoting the invaluable art and cultural traditions inherited from previous generations is a collective responsibility.
Addressing the young artists, the President advised them to pursue their studies sincerely and “strive for excellence in whatever work you do.” She also encouraged them to become self-reliant, stand on their own feet and bring greater recognition and honour to their parents and families.
The President particularly appreciated the rich and distinctive cultural traditions of the Saura tribal community of Ganjam, highlighting the importance of preserving the district’s diverse indigenous heritage.
For the visiting artists, the opportunity to meet the President and visit Rashtrapati Bhavan proved to be an unforgettable experience. The delegation interacted with President Murmu for more than half an hour and also visited several historical and tourist attractions in New Delhi.
The artists expressed their gratitude to the Ganjam district administration for facilitating the unique opportunity. Jagannath Nayak of the Saura Traditional Cultural Natya Sangha described the experience as a memorable chapter of his life.
The delegation was accompanied by Additional Sub-Collector, Chhatrapur, Partha Sarathi Hansda; District Culture Officer Aditi Acharya; Manoj Kumar Pradhan, and other officials of the Ganjam district administration.
