Chhatrapur, Sept. 1 (UDN): More than 90 folk and tribal artists from Ganjam district received a special opportunity to meet President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Tuesday, in recognition of the district’s vibrant cultural heritage.
The delegation, led by Ganjam Collector V. Keerthi Vasan, comprised members of five cultural groups representing different folk and tribal traditions of the district.
President praises Ganjam’s cultural heritage
The artists were warmly received at Rashtrapati Bhavan and spent more than 30 minutes interacting with the President.
During the meeting, Murmu enquired about the artists’ experiences and well-being and stressed the importance of preserving and promoting India’s traditional art forms for future generations.
She encouraged young artists to remain committed to their education while pursuing excellence in their respective fields. The President also urged them to become self-reliant and work towards bringing greater recognition to their families and communities.
Murmu specifically appreciated the distinctive cultural traditions of the Saura tribal community of Ganjam.
Invitation followed cultural performance
The visit was organised following the President’s recent visit to Ganjam, where folk and tribal performers presented traditional music and dance at Taptapani during a cultural programme organised by the district administration.
Impressed by the performances, the President had invited the participating artists to visit Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The invitation was subsequently accepted by five cultural groups:
Maa Dandakali Group, Subarnagad, Sanakhemundi
Sanrachana Group, Berhampur
Tulasi Group, Sorada
Gouranga Basudev Nama Sankirtan Mandali, Katapalli, Sanakhemundi
Saura Traditional Cultural Natya Sangha, Khemundikhole
A memorable experience for the artists
For the visiting performers, the interaction with the President and the visit to Rashtrapati Bhavan marked a memorable milestone in their artistic journey.
The delegation also visited several historical and tourist attractions in the national capital during its stay.
Jagannath Nayak, a member of the Saura Traditional Cultural Natya Sangha, described the opportunity to meet the President as an unforgettable experience.
The artists thanked the Ganjam district administration for facilitating their visit and providing them with an opportunity to showcase and celebrate the region’s rich cultural identity at the national level.
The delegation was accompanied by Additional Sub-Collector, Chhatrapur Partha Sarathi Hansda, District Culture Officer Aditi Acharya, Manoj Kumar Pradhan and other officials.