‘Mahanagar Mahotsav' comes to an end

BERHAMPUR: The week long ‘Mahanagar Mahotsav' concluded in the city with a record 400 artistes from 11 organisations taking part in the cultural programme on the last day. This cultural festival was held at the Khallikote autonomous college stadium to promote local cultural talents. It also included a trade fair. On the concluding evening a seminar was held on the topic ‘need for the formation of a special south Orissa development council'. The speakers of this seminar advocated the need for unity among the people and organisations of south Orissa. “Without this unity the voice of south Orissa is not being heard by the government machinery”, they alleged. A long cultural show that continued till night started after the seminar. A large crowd had gathered to enjoy the performances by local artists. There were many budding artists who performed on stage for the first time in their life. Troupes from cultural organisations of the city like Anwesha, Murchhna, Jhumar, Jatiya Sangeet Kala Kendra, Pranaya Dance group etc enthralled the audience. Magician S.Kumar provided a different flavour to the show with his mind boggling tricks on stage. The artists were overjoyed with the response of the audience. Local artists of Greater Berhampur, which includes the Silk City, Gopalpur and Chatrapur, excelled in the Mahanagar Mahotsav, which was held on the Khallikote College ground here for the first time. “Though the recently concluded Gopalpur Beach Festival and the Ganjam Mahotsav at Berhampur gave ample chance to artistes from across the state and beyond to showcase their talents, many budding local artistes are still deprived of a platform to display their skills. Our sole aim is to highlight these local artists,” said Gopal Patnaik, secretary of Mahanagar Mahotsav Organising Committee.

Apart from cultural programmes, the organisers held discussions on separate topic concerning local issues on each day. The topics discussed on various days included “A review on the formation of Greater Berhampur”, “The possibilities of the development of tourism sector and preservation of the culture in Ganjam”, “Development of mass education system”, “The expansion of the geographical limits of Berhampur Municipal Corporation and the health services”, “Necessity of a third drinking water project for Berhampur” and “Necessity of Southern Development Council”. The organisers also gave “Bhanja Yuva Samman” to the dancing star Hari Har Das of Berhampur. Ganjam zilla parishad chairman Kamraju Sethi declared that Mahanagar Mahotsav would be organised on January 12, 2012 at the same venue. “We are overwhelmed with the support of the people as well as the local artists,” he said. As Hari Har was unable to present here to receive the award in person he would be awarded the prize later in a convenient date and venue, said the organisers. Such award would be awarded every year to an outstanding youth of the region who has glorified the name of this region in national and international arena. 

Sources: The Hindu, The Telegraph