Utkal Alumina’s Initiative to Preserve and Promote Tribal Dance Culture

IndiaCSR News Network

BHUBANESWAR: The two-day Dhemsa festival, the most popular dance form of undivided Koraput District, named as ‘Ama Nrutya Ama Sanskruti’ – Our Dance Our Culture was organized by the Aditya Birla Group Company, Utkal Alumina in a grand and befitting manner on 20– 21April 2016 at the Helipad Ground of it’s Township in Kashipur block of Rayagada district.

Dhemsa is generally observed by whole community, both young and old, men, women and children to commemorate the cohesiveness of tribals of a particular village and the villages around.

As many as 30 teams from Utkal Alumina peripheral villages took part in the two days Dhemsa Dance Festival and showcased their talent. K. Karol and Badamaribhata teams became joint first followed by Rengnasil and Kaliakana. Along with them, the teams from Ladiguda, Mailiguda, Gaimundtunda, Naringjodi, K. Siriguda, Champadora, Peringini, Panchali, Tharli, Kodipari, Kucheipadar, RR Colony I, D. Karol, Gokulmunda, Dudukabahal, Makapadar, Tala Kampore, Tikiri, Upper Dheska, Bilamal, Ghuguput, Andirakanch, Sanamatikana, Lachuguda, Gulmijhola villages performed their dances. Winners were awarded with prizes and individual mementoes have been given by the company to all the participants.

On the second day, to provide an opportunity for the local villagers to see other forms of dance of the State of Odisha, renowned dance troupes i.e. Gunjan Dance Academy – Cuttack (Odishi); Ganeswar Jugal Sankhadhwani – Narendrapur (Jodisankha); Rang Pharua – Sambalpur (Sambalpuri); M/s Haripada Mohanta and team – Baripada (Chhau) and M/s Sahadev Bidika and team – Khajuriput (Dhemsa) performed their colourful dances. This Cultural extravaganza programme was witnessed by an enthusiastic huge gathering of more than six thousand people, mostly from Kashipur and Laxmipur blocks.

Jagannath Mohanty, Collector and District Magistrate of Rayagada district attended the second day programme as the Chief Guest. While appreciating the effort made by Utkal Alumina for promotion of folk dance, he appealed all the artists to explore the talent within themselves and take them forward to the highest level. He also suggested the company to continue this noble effort in the days to come so as to preserve and promote local culture.

Vijay Sapra – Unit Head & President of Utkal Alumina encouraged the performers and audience and shared that the Dhemsa performance has been improving over the years. He assured all possible support to promote Dhemsa to the highest level. The programme was very well coordinated by Raghunath Pratihari, Vice President (HR) along with the team.

Various important dignitaries from Rayagada and other parts of the District graced the occasion and enjoyed the programme. The local police made adequate arrangements for smooth conduct of the programme.

Along with many other CSR initiatives, Utkal Alumina has undertaken this effort, consecutively for the fourth year, which has been louded by the local community, Govt. administration and other stakeholders. This has not only promoted local culture but also strengthened bonding with the local community.