Kalahandi Utsav Ghumura
Official website of kalahandi utsav ghumura
Explore Kalahandi: A land of history, art, and cultural richness.
Kalahandi, a district nestled in the heart of Odisha, boasts a rich tapestry of history and culture. Evidence of ancient civilizations can be found in the region’s numerous temples and archaeological sites. The district is renowned for its vibrant tribal culture, with diverse communities showcasing unique traditions, art forms, and festivals. Kalahandi’s cultural landscape is further enriched by its folk music, dance forms like Ghumura, and exquisite handloom and handicrafts.
KALAHANDI: A MYTHOHISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
Evolved from the Paleolithic to the Neolithic Era of the pre-historic civilization, evident in Gudahandi or Yogimath, the land rich in precious gemstones and natural resources, amidst affluent flora and fauna, is known since ages as ‘Taitalak Janapada’, mentioned in Panini’s Astadhyaee or as ‘Indravan’, quoted in Kautilya’s Arthasastra or ‘Atavika Rajya’ or ‘Mahakantara’ that was reigned by Nala, Saravapuria, Parvatdwarak Satvahan, Kushan, Kalachuri, Soma, Gupta and Ganga or ‘Karond’ or ‘Kalahandi’ ruled by Nagavamsis.
It was the auspicious day of 1st Nov 1948 that witnessed the merger of Athargarh of Kalahandi with the independent Indian Union, and the post- merger phenomenon took a different turn resulting in the denudation of forest properties and plundering of the precious gem stones like diamond, ruby blue sapphire, etc., exposing the soil and hills bare that consequently created poverty in plentiness and the entire scenario topsy-turveyed from abundance to scarcity.
THE COLORFUL CULTURE OF KALAHANDI
Kalahandi happens to be an age-old land possessing a glorious history, heritage, art, culture, flora and fauna. The literal meaning of ‘Kalahandi’ is ‘a pot containing art’.The cultural tapestry of Kalahandi is vividly vibrant, for the land possesses laudable legacy in the avenues of art, architecture, sculpture, crafts, literature, song, music, drama, dance, festivals, etc. The heritage of Kalahandi is a blend of tribal and non-tribal culture, and has turned out to be unique in the annals of art and culture.
- Folk songs, music and dance
The tribal predominant Kalahandi showcases vibrant folk dance and folk lore. Several indigenous dance forms like Ghumura, Dhaap, Geda, Banabadi, Madali, Singbaja, Bajasal, Ghadel, Mudtopu, Dandri, etc. manifest the cultural richness of Kalahandi.Among all these dance forms, Ghumura has gained immense popularity at the national and international levels, and come out to be the glory, pride and identity of Kalahandi.It brings a slice of history, culture, custom and tradition of Kalahandi, thereby reflecting the local ethos.
The folk songs like Ghumura, Dalkhai, Rasarkeli and Halia break the monotony and make life lively.
- Crafts & Sculpture
The wood craft of Kalahandi has brought special name, fame and identity to the district at the national and international platforms.The carving articles made by highly skilled artisans of Khairpadar under Dharamgarh Block and Rengalpali under Jaipatna Block of the District, having a blend of traditional and modern touch, are being sold like hotcakes at the national and international markets.
Kalahandi has earned a distinctive niche in stone carving craft.The artisans of Kandagad under Koksara Block of the District are amazingly skilful to produce decorative items like statue of God and Goddess, Devdashis, and utility items like table lamp stand, pen stand, table bowl, flower vase, etc. with a synthesis of traditional and modern touch.
Though not substantially but in a praiseworthy measure, bamboo crafts featuring durable mats, baskets and eco-friendly, fashionable but trendy items of household, get an artistic expression by the awesome artisans residing in the vicinity of Narla and Karlapat forest regions of Kalahandi.
The age-old weaving craft, featuring traditional handloom cotton sarees called Habaspuri Saree, characteristic of tribal tradition of 19th century Kandha tribe of Habaspur village of Kalahandi, declined due to lack of royal patronage. However, the saree has now been revived by a bold weaver, Sri Ugrasen Meher of Chichaiguda Village of Kalahandi District.
- Literature
Many an ingredients of the Adivasi culture, the ancient-most culture of India, form the basis of the culture of Kalahandi. Obviously, the literature of Kalahandi is stuffed with oral forms of the tribal population. Myriads of folk tales, folkl songs, and ballads are being transmitted from one generation to the other.The folk songs like Boria, Rasarkeli, Jamudali, Jaifulare, Chopkarati, Nialimali etc. reflecting humane life and philosophy are even till date mesmerizing the audience. On the other hand, the folk tales being woven out of tribal legends, myth and fables revolve round men with their social culture, birds, animals , trees, mountains, fountains, demons, etc .
As to written literature, there is no dearth of versatile poets and writers of national and international repute who have been honoured with many a literary awards including Kendra Sahitya Academy and Rajya Sahitya Academy over the years.
- Performing and Visual Art
Kalahandi happens to be a fertile land for performing and visual art. Performing myriads of dramas on various occasions and being the producer of two Odia movies, “Samarpana”(1978) and “Palataka”(1985) and several telefilms, the District is poised to perpetuate the dramatic and cinematic legacy of the land.
- Festivals
The festivals of Kalahandi is a blend of Aryan and Tribal culture of the region.Chhatar Jatra: a festival of Maa Manikeshwari, the presiding deity of Bhawanipatna, the District head quarter; Khandabasa:a festival of Maa Lankeshwari, the presiding deity of Junagarh and Nuakhai : an agricultural based mass festival of the District are the characteristic entity of the age-old land manifesting religious values on humane scale.
The harbingers of Kalahandi came to the rescue of their pious soil and a new concept emerged to create an arena where the culture, tradition, history and intellect of Kalahandi can be quarantined, and the lost glory of 15,000 years of great civilizations, depicted in Maraguda Valley, Asurgarh Fort, Gudahandi Paintings and the likes, could be restored.
Website Committee
27th Kalahandi Utsav Ghumura
Sri Pawar Sachin Prakash IAS
Collector cum Chairman
ADM General
Sri Tanmaya kumar Darwan
Nodal Officer
Sri Bibekananda Mahanand
Dco Co Chairman
Dr Bhawani Shankar Nial Convenor
Member
Dr Tapan Kumar Rath
Sri Bankim kumar Mund
Sri Chandrachud Behera