BEd courses in Khallikote University Berhampur

‘Ganjam Odissi’ is alive and thriving!

For generations a tradition of innovative style of Odissi inspired by folk dances – named Ganjam Odissi -- has survived in Ganjam district of Odisha.

Recently, Sutra Foundation in association with the Malaysian High Commission organised a series of performances. Five performances were held in Odisha and outside. The inaugural performance was in New Delhi on April 13. On April 16 and 17, the performance was held in Bhubaneswar followed by one in Rourkela on April 19. The concluding performance was in Berhampur of Ganjam district on Thursday night.

The dance recitals were composed by noted Odissi guru Gajendra Panda, who hails from Ganjam district. He had started his dance career as a ‘sakhipila’ (boy dancer of ‘sakhinata’ folk tradition). Like better known ‘gotipua’ tradition, ‘sakhinata’ where boys perform Odissi existed independently in Ganjam district. Eminent Odia artist and author Dinanath Pathy, who during his childhood in Ganjam district had close links with ‘sakhinata’, was the literary and visual consultant of the production. Concept and artistic direction of the project was by Ramil Ibrahim.

Speaking to The Hindu , Mr Pathy said while thinking of the Ganjam Odissi style, one should always remember great Odissi guru from this region Debaprasad Das who had come up with the concept of ‘Tridhara’, where classical Odissi dance tradition reflects a continuum of tribal and folk forms. It may be noted that highest number of folk dance forms of Odisha have generated from the undivided Ganjam region. Lyrics of great traditional poets of Odia like Gopalkruhsna, Baladev Rath, Upendra Bhanja are integral part of Odissi classical dance and music. “So, Ganjam always remained the ground of experimentation and innovations in Odissi,” said Mr Pathy.

According to him without innovations any classical form can become archaic and get detached from the common mass. Sutra Foundation tried to provide a platform to conceive an adventurous inventory inspired by folk dances and musical compositions of Ganjam district to infuse new energy and vocabulary to Odissi, he added.

‘Sutra Dance Theatre’ artistes performed a series of Ganjam Odissi at different places, which ended in Berhampur. This package included Mangalacharn, Sthai, Ram Bhajan, Pallavi, Yogini-Moksha. ‘Sakhinata’ tradition was evident in Sthai, while in Rama Bhajan section essence of ‘Dasakathia’, another major folk form of Ganjam, could be sensed. Guru Debaprasad’s Tridhara concept to accept tribal and folk forms in Odissi was reminded through Pallavi. Yogini-Moksha depicted art as a medium of liberation.

IISER classes will commence from August

55,000 tonnes per annum capacity TATA ferrochrome plant to start operation from June

The 55,000 tonnes per annum capacity ferrochrome plant, which happens to be the anchorage industry of Gopalpur Industrial Park being developed by Tata Steel in Ganjam district of Odisha, is expected to start functioning from June.

GIP encompasses a multi-product Special Economic Zone of the company.

Speaking to newsmen here, Arun Mishra, the vice-president, Project Gopalpur & MD, Tata Steel Special Economic Zone Ltd. said Central government has already approved the SEZ project of the company and a notification would come up soon.

Functioning of this ferrochrome plant would be the beginning of future development of GIP.

According to Mr Mishra around 20 companies from Singapore, United Kingdom and UAE have shown interest in having units in this SEZ. Tata Power has also proposed to invest in two thermal power plants in the region.

Tata Steel envisions to encash ‘Make in India’ scheme to promote its SEZ.

Under ‘Make in India’, process has started to set up a manufacturing unit meant to produce aerial target products for defence purposes by Mumbai based Sure Safety Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (SSS) in collaboration with M/s Megitt Defence Systems Ltd. of United Kingdom in the GIP.

Anchorage industry of this industrial park, the 800 crore worth ferrochrome plant was expected to start functioning from December, 2015. But various reasons including power connectivity has delayed its inauguration by some months. According to Mr Mishra, every thing would be ready by end of May and test production from the ferrochrome plant may start from June.

In this water-starved coastal region, the ferrochrome plant of Tata Steel would depend on desalination of sea water and rain water harvesting to meet its water needs. “We have restructured the terrain for optimal rain water harvestingapart from water from the desalination plant,” Mr Mishra said.

-BERHAMPUR, April 22, 2016

Fourth Tuesday of Chaitra @ Tara Tarini Shakti peetha

Malaysia based Odissi Dancer Ramli Ibrahim names latest composition Ganjam

Malaysian Odissi dancer Ramli Ibrahim is ready with his latest production – Ganjam – dedicated to the contribution of the district towards the dance form.

Ramli and his artistes from Sutra Dance Theatre performed at New Delhi this week and they will present that dance ballet in Bhubaneswar, Rourkela and Berhampur.

Composed by veteran dancer Gajendra Panda, Ganjam reflects all five aspects of Odissi dance – Mangalacharana, Sthayee, Pallavi, Abhinaya and Mokshya – which are different genres of the dance form. In each part, the production reflects how Ganjam’s traditions, various folk arts and culture has influenced Odissi.

http://www.bhubaneswarbuzz.com/…/malaysia-based-odissi-danc…

‪#‎Odissi‬

‪#‎Ganjamodisi‬

Tara Tarini Adi shakti (Manokamna purti wali Maa)

Tara Tarini Adi shakti (Manokamna purti wali Maa) 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogi6dfeGjno

2nd Rahagiri day in SILK CITY BERHAMPUR

2nd Rahagiri day in SILK CITY BERHAMPUR

MKCG News

GREEN FIELD DOMESTIC AIRPORT NEAR BERHAMPUR CITY

Another example of State Government's negligence to Berhampur .................... DEAR FRIENDS, HOPE YOU MUST RAISE YOUR VOICE FOR A GREEN FIELD DOMESTIC AIRPORT NEAR BERHAMPUR CITY . ITS ESSENTIAL FOR THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CITY..

Progress of Doppler radar in Gopalpur (Berhampur)

New Bus Shelters in Berhampur

Third Tuesday of Chaitra Yatra passed off peacefully at Tara Tarini Shakti Peetha

The Third Tuesday of Chaitra month, considered the holiest in the annual calendar of the Tara Tarini Shakti Peetha began with the chanting of Vedic Mantras on the midnight of Monday. On the occasion lakhs of devotees had gathered at the hill shrine from Monday afternoon itself. As per the established traditions the Mangala Arati started at around 12.10 am in the morning and after the completion of Abakasha, Snana, Mailama Lagi, Sringara, Chandana Lagi, Panchamruta Bhoga, Bala Bhoga and Khichidi Bhoga the morning Arati of Adi Shakti was completed in 3.20 am at the Sanctum of the Shrine. Following it the Bagala Mukhi Besha Darshana for the Devotees started at around 3.30 am in the morning.

As per Hindu Purana and Tantra Shastra this is one of the 04 major Shakti Peethas in India where the twin goddesses Tara and Tarini are worshipped as the Breast Shrine of Devi Sati and the manifestation of Adi Shakti.

This famous Shakti/Tantra Peetha is located on the bank of pious river Rushikulya which is near Berhampur city in Ganjam district of Odisha.

The goddesses Tara and Tarini are regarded as the presiding deity (Ista-Devi) in majority of households in Odisha and in many parts of India.

Around Four lakhs of devotees visited the Tara Tarini Shakti Peetha on the occasion.

Mundan ceremony of over 10,000 babies (usually performed during the first year of a child’s life) is done to get the blessings of the Adi Shakti.

Devotees waited in long queues and dared extreme heat to offer prayers at the Shakti Peetha on the hill-top and participate in the Chaitra Mela, one of the biggest and longest religious fairs in the country.

On this occasion, more than 15,000 families and groups were seen cooking in the surrounding areas of the shrine and had a day of picnic at the Shrine. This is a unique and thousands of years old tradition at Tara Tarini Shakti Peetha.

Ganjam District administration and District police made elaborate arrangements for the visitors. As per the believe devotees climbed 999 holy steps to reach the hill temple. The rope-way which is being operated by TTDB and Ushabreco Pvt. Ltd. also carried thousands of devotees to the hill temple. The TTDB also operated buses to carry around 10,000 devotees to the hill top.

The Temple authorities distributed Pana, Buttermilk and Halwa Prasad to all the devotees during the entire day.

Justic Basudev Panigrahi of Odisha High Court, Member of Parliament, Aska Shri Ladu Kishor Swain, MLA Tirtol, Shri R Mallick, Odisha Southern Division IG Shri Amitabh Thakur, many other senior central and state government officials, Sub Collector, Tahasildar, officials of district administration, Secretary TTDB Shri Pramod Panda, Temple Executive Officer, office bearers of TTDB and Temple Management were also present on the occasion.

Special arrangements have been made for the convenience of the visitors. The TTDB, TATA, Gopalpur PORT Authority and other organizations set up Tents on the way and in and around the hilltop so that visitors can take rest and visit the Shrine without any difficulty.

Temporary health camps and drinking water points were also put up. The volunteers of the TTDB, NGOs and voluntary organizations and local residents actively helped the devotees who came from various neighboring states like Andhra Pradsh, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal and from many parts of the country.

Thousands of volunteers and hundreds of Policemen were deployed to control the huge rush, therefore the Third Tuesday of Chaitra Yatra which saw a huge rush passed off peacefully.

Thanks & Regards,

Ram Prasad Tripathy

PRO, Tara Tarini Development Board

Berhampur, Odisha

Danda Jatra/Nata: The ancient Ganjam tradition lives on

Raahgiri Day debuts in Silk City Berhampur

Maa Tara Tarini Shakti peetha/sthana peetha, Berhampur, Odisha

 ‪#‎TaratariniTemple‬

Origin of Maa Tara Tarini Peetha

Maa Tara Tarini temple on the Kumari hills/ Purnagiri at the bank of the River Rushikulya near Brahmapur city in Odisha, India is worshiped as the Breast Shrine (Sthana Peetha) and manifestations of Adi Shakti. The Tara Tarini Shakti Peetha is one of the oldest pilgrimage centers of the Mother Goddess and is one of 04 major ancient Tantra Peetha and Shakti Peethas in India.The mythological texts recognize 04 major Shakti Peethas: Tara Tarini (Sthana Khanda), near Brahmapur; Bimala (Pada Khanda) inside the Jagannath Temple, Puri; Kamakhya (Yoni khanda), near Guwahati; and Dakshina Kalika (Mukha khanda) in Kolkata.There are 51 other sacred Shakti Peethas, 26 upa peethas which originated from the limbs of Mata Sati's corpse in the Satya Yuga..

.................Jai Maa

NIST ranked number 1 in Odisha

FINALCDP FOR BERHAMPUR DEVELOPMENT PLAN AREA 2031 (BERHAMPUR -CHHATRAPUR-GOPALPUR) gets approval

Link- http://bdabrahmapur.in/…/uploa…/2016/04/final-cdp-report.pdf

Students participating in Water Sport Zorbing during the tech-fest at NIST, Berhampur, Odisha.

Sundays in Silk city Berhampur will never be the same again. ......Enjoy RAHAGIRI

Over 3 lakh devotees throng to Tara Tarini Shakti Peetha on Second Tuesday of Chaitra

More than three lakhs of devotees thronged to Tara Tarini Shakti Peetha on the second Tuesday of Chaitra near Berhampur city in Ganjam district of Odisha.

This is one of the major Shakti Peethas in India where the twin goddesses Tara and Tarini are worshipped as the Breast Shrine of Devi Sati and the manifestation of Adi Shakti. This famous Shakti/Tantra Peetha is located on the bank of pious river Rushikulya.

The goddesses Tara and Tarini are regarded as the presiding deity (Ista-Devi) in ever part of the state of Odisha and in many parts of India.

On the occasion of Second Tuesday lakhs of devotees had started gathering at the hill shrine from Monday afternoon itself. As per the established traditions the Mangala Arati started at 12.30 am in the sanctum of the temple and after the completion of Abakasha, Snana, Sringara, Chandana lagi and Panchamruta Bhoga of Devi Tara Tarini the morning Arati was completed in 3.20 am. Following it the Darshana started for everybody after 3.30 am in the morning.

Joint Secretary of Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Government of India Shri Satyabrata Sahu, Commandant of Army Air Defence College, Golabandha, many other senior central and state government officials, officials of district administration, Secretary TTDB Shri Pramod Panda, Temple Executive Officer, office bearers of TTDB and Temple Management were also present on the occasion.

Mundan ceremony of more than 10,000 babies (usually performed during the first year of a child’s life) is done to get the blessings of the Adi Shakti.

Ganjam District administration and District police made elaborate arrangements for the visitors. As per the believe devotees climbed 999 holy steps to reach the hill temple. The rope-way which is being operated by TTDB and ushabreco also carried thousands of devotees to the hill temple. The TTDB also operated buses to carry devotees to the hill top.

Special arrangements have been made for the convenience of the visitors. Tents have been set up on the way to the hilltop so that visitors can take rest. Temporary health camps and drinking water points are also put up. The volunteers of the TTDB, NGOs and voluntary organizations and local residents actively helped the devotees who came from various parts of the country.

Thanks,

Ram Prasad Tripathy

PRO, Tara Tarini Development Board

Berhampur, Odisha

Second Tuesday of Chaitra @ Tara Tarini

Do you know the history behind Danda Nata ?

Danda Nata or Danda Jatra is one of the most important traditional dance festivals organized in different parts of South Odisha and particularly in the Ganjam District, the heartland of ancient Kalinga Empire. 

The Danda Nata festival is being held in the month of Chaitra of every year.

It is an ancient festival of the Kalinga kingdom and still alive in and around the ancient Kalinga capital Sampa/Samapa i.e. modern day Ganjam District in Odisha. 

The Participants of Danda are called Danduas (also known as Bhoktas) and they pray Goddesses Kali and Shiva during this 13, 18 or 21 day Danda period.

Danda begins on an auspicious day before the Chaitra Sankranti or Meru Parba with traditional worship and fasting. The total number of days for the festival is 13, 18 or 21 days. 

Only male persons take part in this festival. The participants are known as the 'Bhoktas'.

All the `Bhoktas` or 'Danduas' lead a very pious life for all these days during the festival and they avoid eating meat, fish or cohabiting during this period.

It is believed that the present day Danda Nata is a part of the ancient Chaitra Yatra festivals being celebrated every year at Tara Tarini Shakti/Tantra Peetha. 

The Kalinga Emperors organised this Chaitra festival for their Ista devi, Tara Tarini.

As per folk lore, during ancient period after 20 days of Danda practice the Danduas have to assemble near Taratarini Shakti/Tantra Peetha (which is ista devi of the Great Kalinga rulers) and with some hard rituals culminate their Danda on the last day on Meru.

This practice continued for several years and Chaitra Yatra which is still celebrated at Tara Tarini Shakti/Tantra Peetha in the month of Chaitra, is also another part of that old tradition. 

But later this Danda Nata spread to different parts of Utkala and Koshala. 

Now the old tradition was changed. Danda Nata groups increased abnormally and the Danduas culminating their Danda in their own villages or locality instead of Tara Tarini Shakti/Tantra Peetha.

- Ram Prasad Tripathy

City transportation system disrupted

Image of 1st Chaitra Tuesday from Tara Tarini Shakti Peetha

NIST,Brahmapur ranked no 4 among all Institutes of Odisha

HRD Minister, Government of India Smt. Smriti Irani releases the first ranking of institutes and universities of India. https://www.nirfindia.org/ranking. A few Odisha institutions find mention. NIST, Brahmapur is ranked at no 4 among all Institutes of Odisha.............

1. 19 NIT Rourkela

2. 26 IIT Bhubaneswar

3. 32 KIIT Bhubaneswar

4. 69 NIST Berhampur

Among Engineering institutions (Teaching & Research) - top 100 -https://www.nirfindia.org/engg

Traffic problem in Bada Bazar, Berhampur