Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has proposed an allocation of ₹10 crore for this year’s historic Bali Yatra in Kataka, with the eight-day festival scheduled to be held from November 24 to December 1.
The festival will be organised as a plastic-free event, while the Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS) will set up 500 stalls showcasing rural products. Handloom and handicraft products of Odisha will also be displayed at prominent locations of the fairground.
These decisions were discussed at a high-level review meeting of the Culture Department chaired by Minister Suryabanshi Suraj here on Tuesday.
Two stages will be erected for cultural performances, while a delegation from Bali is expected to visit the festival. A special pavilion, ‘Kataka-in-Kataka’, will highlight historical and cultural links between Bali and the ancient Kalinga kingdom. Similarities in language, food, attire and traditional manuscripts, including Odisha’s palm-leaf manuscripts and Bali’s Lontar manuscripts, will be showcased through exhibitions and a digital information wall.
The Minister also reviewed preparations for the State Book Festival, scheduled to be held in Bhubaneswar from December 4 to 14. He suggested dedicated pavilions highlighting the life and legacy of Kapilendra Deva, the national theme of Vande Mataram and Gyanabharatam.
The proposed attractions at the book festival include a children’s literature section, a ‘Meet the Author’ corner, quiz competitions, open-mic sessions and other literary and cultural activities.
The meeting also reviewed several ongoing and proposed projects under the Culture Department. Suraj directed IDCO officials to expedite completion of Kala Mandap. Progress of the auditorium at Utkal University of Culture, renovation of the auditorium and classrooms at Kalabikash Kendra, and the Bakulaban development project were also assessed.
Other projects reviewed included identification of land for a modern museum in Bhubaneswar, the Sri Jagannath Interpretation Centre and museum in Puri, renovation of Bhanja Kala Mandap, establishment of a regional campus of the National School of Drama, the Baraputra Heritage Village scheme and installation of statues honouring eminent personalities.
The Minister directed officials to ensure that all projects under the department are completed within their stipulated timelines.
Culture Department Secretary Bijay Ketan Upadhyaya, Kataka Collector Dattatray Bhausaheb Shinde, officials of IDCO and OBCC, and senior departmental officers attended the meeting.
