Central University of Odisha celebrates Basanta Utsav
Koraput : The Faculty, staff and students of the Central University of Odisha celebrated Holi, the festival of colours as Basanta Utsav in its campus in Sunabeda. Prof Chakradhar Tripathi, Vice Chancellor was the Chief Guest and was welcomed on the dais by Dr R K Parhi, DSW and Dr Kakoli Banerjee, Convener, Cultural Committee. Prof Bharat Kumar Panda, Dean, School of E & ET was also present in the occasion.
Dr Banerjee in her welcome address introduced the background of the function and the role played by Rabindranath Tagore to celebrate the Dolapurnima with the change of seasons, movement which he started at Shantiniketan known as Basanta Utsav.
Prof Chakradhar Tripathi in his inaugural address described the unique place of Dolajatra in the Bharatiya Sanantan Parampara. Bhagwan Shri Krishna had arrived as Yogeswar among thousands of Gopinis (female cow care givers) and inspired them to play Holi. Shri Krishna was nowhere present but His influence gave birth to the tradition in Mathura-Brindaban which is known as Raas Leela, said Prof Tripathi. He further explained that the Radha-Krishna Prema is an unique phenomenon in Bharatiya philosophy. He said that when the prema is around, the nature also responds to it and the flowers start blooming even on the stony hills of places like Koraput. Prof Tripathi called upon everyone to forget all differences and create an atmosphere of love and brotherhood.
The students of the CUO presented a short cultural programme. It started with ‘Ritu Bandana’ where six girls enacted each season, Ritu, and explained its significance. The performance was scripted by Dr Ravita Pathak, Asst Prof, Dep’t of Education, choreographed by Dr Kakoli Banejee, Asst Professor & Head I/c, DBCNR and narrated by Dr Debasish Karmakar, Asst Prof, DSKT and Dr Elisa Mohanty, Asst Prof, Sociology. It was followed by a series of dances on songs of various languages related to Holi. The last item was Koraput’s very own Dhemsa folk dance.
The programme concluded with the traditional Matka Phodo competition where everyone took part with great enthusiasm. The programme concluded with Vote of Thanks by Dr Sourav Gupta, Associate Prof, DJMC & Nodal Officer, Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat.
The programme was organized by NSS Unit of CUO and coordinated by Dr Anjanelyu Thotapally, Asst Prof, DELL & Coordinator, NSS. It was supported by CUO Cultural Committee and Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. Faculty members, students and staff were present in large numbers.
