Chinta O Chetana’s 49th annual festival from Aug. 25

By Nalini Sahu

Bhubaneswar, Aug. 22: The 49th annual festival of Chinta O Chetana, a prominent literary, cultural and social service organisation, will be held at Rabindra Mandap here from August 25 to 27.

Announcing the programme at a press conference on Saturday, the organisation’s general secretary Surendra Das said the three-day festival would combine cultural celebrations with initiatives aimed at extending support to people affected by the recent floods and natural disasters in Odisha.

Das said Chinta O Chetana, founded by former Odisha Chief Minister Dr Harekrushna Mahatab in 1978, had established itself as a recognised cultural organisation in Odisha as well as nationally and internationally. Several eminent personalities and artistes have been associated with the organisation during its long journey.

This year’s festival assumes special significance as the organisation is continuing relief and rehabilitation activities in different flood-affected parts of the state. Various programmes will be organised during the festival to support flood victims, the organisers said.

The festival will feature performances by eminent classical artistes from across the country as well as leading Odissi dancers and musicians from Odisha. Acclaimed dancers, vocalists and instrumentalists from the state will also showcase their talent during the three-day event.

As part of the festival, international social workers, senior military officers, litterateurs and artistes will be felicitated with due approval from the Central government. Several distinguished personalities are also expected to attend the different evening programmes.

The organisers said various institutions, including the Central and state governments, Odisha Police, the armed forces, Doordarshan, Odisha Live, Swaraj and Dharitri, were extending cooperation for the event.

They also announced that a high-level committee had been constituted to oversee preparations for the organisation’s golden jubilee celebrations next year.

President Sahadev Sahu, general secretary Surendra Das, Dr Srinivas Ghatuari, Tulasi Mohanty, Udit Narayan Mohanty, Renuka Sethi and convenor Akshaya Kumar Sahoo were present at the press briefing.

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Photograph: Officials of Chnita O Chetana at the curtain-raiser press meeting in Bhubaneswar on Saturday.