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New Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Ignoring Sambalpuri culture a sign of disrespect by Odisha government, says Rohit Pujari
SAMBALPUR: Former minister and district BJD president Rohit Pujari on Saturday came down heavily on the state government, accusing it of showing blatant disrespect towards Sambalpuri culture by ignoring its representation during inauguration of the ongoing handloom exhibition in Bhubaneswar. Expressing strong resentment over reports that the handloom exhibition, being organised at Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar, failed to mention Sambalpuri sarees and the traditional Bandha art in the Odisha handloom map, Pujari said the omission had deeply hurt the sentiments of people of Western Odisha, who take pride in their language, art and culture. 'The Sambalpuri saree, with its unique handloom craft, has placed us on the world map. It is not just our art and culture but our identity, pride, and traditional heritage passed down through generations,' he said. He further added that referring to the Saptapar saree as Pasapalli was an insult to both its creator, late Radheshyam Meher, and to the Sambalpuri culture. 'The omission of Sambalpuri art from an official exhibition reflects the clear bias and intolerant attitude of the state government and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi towards the people of Sambalpur,' the district BJD president said. Lashing out at the state government, he questioned what message was it trying to convey by sidelining Sambalpuri literature, culture and art. 'How can a craft recognised by UNESCO be erased from the map? Is this ignorance, negligence, or a deliberate insult?' he asked. Pujari also criticised the government for its failure to grant official recognition to Sambalpuri language and its inclusion in the eighth schedule of the Constitution.
New Indian Express
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Sital Sasthi concludes in Sambalpur
SAMBALPUR: As the week-long festival concluded on Monday afternoon with the divine couple's return to their respective temples, demand for the official recognition to Sambalpur Sital Sasthi festival grew stronger. BJD district president and former minister Rohit Pujari urged the Centre to grant the national recognition to the festival. 'Sital Sasthi is not merely a festival, it has evolved into a grand platform for promoting art and culture. It brings together diverse dance and music traditions from across India, giving them a distinct identity,' he said. Former chief minister Naveen Patnaik had approved financial grants for various Sital Sasthi committees, acknowledging the festival at the state level. It is now time for the central government to step in and grant it the national recognition it truly deserves, he added. This year, Revenue and Disaster Management minister Suresh Pujari and his wife assumed the ceremonial role of Goddess Parvati's parents on behalf of Jhaduapada Sasthi Committee, offering her hand in marriage to Lord Shiva. The tradition, originating in the 17th century at the Someswar Baba temple in Balibandha, now includes several temples across the city. The festival rituals, which began on May 27, transformed Sambalpur into a cultural and devotional hot spot. Around 8,000 artistes from across Odisha and other states performed in the vibrant carnival organised by Jharuapada, Nandapada, and Mudipada committees. The district administration deployed around 75 platoons of police to ensure safety and manage crowds, with devotees arriving from across western Odisha and neighbouring Chhattisgarh. Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Deputy CM KV Singhdeo and several other dignitaries attended the festivities on Sunday.
