Odias in New Delhi Celebrate Raja Festival in Kidwai Nagar

New Delhi: With an aim to keep alive the Odia tradition and culture among the people living in the national capital away from their homeland, especially the new generation, the annual Raja festival was celebrated with ritualistic gaiety on Sunday.

Members of Odia Bhagat Tungi, New Delhi Odia Association and other Odia organizations of the national capital participated in this function.

The entire programme was conceived, managed and performed by the young girls and women of Odia families living in Delhi. Around 1000 people that included Odias as well as members of other linguistic and cultural communities from in and around Delhi participated in this Raja celebration.

To promote traditional arts, folk music, folk dance and traditional rural sports of Odisha, there were sessions of Puchi khel, Doli khel, Jhoti Drawing, Conch Blowing and Hulahuli.

The Raja Parv celebration in Kidwai Nagar continued from 7 pm to 10 pm on Sunday.

The highlight of this Raja celebration was a socio-cultural show on the theme of Womanhood, health and hygiene of women. This cultural show showcased recital of Bande Utkal Janani, significance of Raja parva, Odissi, Sambalpuri folk dance and Kathak recitals depicting life of women.

Participation of non-Odia residents which enhanced the camaraderie of Odias with other communities.