Bhubaneswar: The historic three-day Mayurbhanj Utsav–2026, organised by Mayurbhanj Cultural Council, kicked off on a grand note at Utkal Mandap at the Odisha Sangeet Mahavidyalaya campus here on Friday.
The festival was formally inaugurated by the Governor of Odisha, Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, as the Chief Guest. Among the distinguished guests present on the dais were Odisha’s Minister for Works, Excise and Law Prithviraj Harichandan; Minister for Housing and Urban Development and President of the Mayurbhanj Cultural Council Dr. Krushna Chandra Mohapatra; Executive President and Chairman of the Festival Committee, Minister for Forest, Environment and Climate Change Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia; Member of Parliament Naba Charan Majhi; General Secretary Dr. Rajanikanta Biswal; secretaries Chinmay Das Patnaik and Swaroop Ranjan Das, among others.
With lighting the ceremonial lamp, the Governor formally inaugurated the festival, following which the inaugural session commenced. The Chief Guest and other dignitaries delivered insightful addresses.
While addressing the gathering, the Governor expressed his happiness for participating in the festival. “Mayurbhanj Festival reflects the soul, strength, and consciousness of Odisha. The festival brings together the people of Mayurbhanj in the state capital, strengthening cultural bonds and promoting social interaction, while also spreading the fragrance of the district’s rich heritage far and wide,” he said.
In his address, Works, Excise and Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan informed that the government will soon launch developmental projects and beautification drives for Jagannath Temple and Kichakeshwari Temple in Mayurbhanj district.
Later, the festival’s souvenir was officially released. The inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by General Secretary Dr. Rajanikanta Biswal.
The cultural evening that followed was a visual and artistic delight. The programme opened with the presentation of the theme song of Mayurbhanj Cultural Council, showcasing the district’s tourist spots, cuisine and cultural heritage through an audio-visual medium. The segment was directed by film director Tapas Sargharia along with his team.This was followed by the world-famous Mayurbhanj Chhau dance, presented by the Chhau dance institution from Baripada’s Uttarsahi.
The mesmerizing Jhumar dance was performed by skilled artists of the Rairangpur RMS Jhumar Music Academy. The Mayurbhanj Adim Adivasi Sangha, Bhubaneswar enthralled the audience with traditional Santhali dance, while IDS Dance Group and Drop Beat Dance Group presented a striking blend of contemporary and Bollywood fusion dance.Renowned Odia playback singer Biswajit Mohanty (Kabi) left the audience captivated with his soulful voice, while young singer Hansasraj Das impressed everyone with his musical finesse.
One of the major attractions of the festival was the craft fair, showcasing exquisite handicrafts made from stone, tassar silk, bamboo and sabai grass.
Visitors also relished Mayurbhanj’s famous traditional delicacies such as ‘Mudhi Mansa’, ‘Dala Khechudi’, ‘Ramrochak Kada Tarkari’, ‘Arisa Pitha’ and ‘Guda Laddu’, which added rich local flavor to the event.
The inaugural evening’s programmes were conducted by the council’s secretary, eminent Odia film writer and director Chinmay Das Patnaik, while noted Odia film actor Sukanta Rath did seamless anchoring.
The festival is open to the public with free entry and there will be scintoilainting performaces by Ollywood stars including actor Babushaan, Papu Pom Pom and Swaraj, informed council’s secretary and noted entrepreneur Swaroop Ranjan Das.
