Berhampur experienced a revival of cultural spirit when the Madhumaya Panigrahi Foundation (MPF) hosted a variety of rural games at Khallikote University Stadium. Traditional games such as Khapara Dian, Kaudi Khela, Daudi Dian, and Thia Puchi showcased the cultural vibrancy of rural Odisha, attracting enthusiastic participation from female students and women. Approximately 300 participants from Berhampur and surrounding areas engaged in these ancient games accompanied by the rhythmic tunes of Kumar Punei songs.
The event, attended by Odisha State Child Rights Commission Chairperson Babita Patra as the chief guest, was celebrated as an “extraordinary cultural revival.” Notable attendees included District Athletic Association general secretary Kameshwar Rao, Berhampur Physical Academy Founder Director Simanchal Barik, psychologist and event chairperson Sudipta Panigrahi, along with various cultural patrons. Organized by the Madhumaya Panigrahi Foundation and the ‘Kumar Punei Jahna Loo’ Festival Committee–2025, the event featured enthusiastic participation in seven traditional sports for women, judged by veteran sportsperson Binayak Hota and his team, which included Manorama Maharana, Sony Patnaik, Sarat Mahapatra, Braja Kishore Das, Rabindra Maharana, and Basanti Patra. This initiative aims to foster both physical vitality and mental well-being, revitalizing these fading folk games.
Winners from these contests are often prepared to excel in cultural events, including the dance ballet “Thia Puchi Naranga,” which merges athleticism with artistic expression, as noted by MPF chief adviser and internationally acclaimed stage host Hrushikesh Panigrahi. The atmosphere was filled with the lively sounds of Odia tradition, from the rhythmic one-legged jumps of Khapara Dian to the strategic communal play of Kaudi Khela, accompanied by the blowing of conch shells and spirited chants of Hulahuli. The Foundation’s mission is straightforward—preserve, promote, and pass on these cultural treasures to future generations. The festival’s enchanting combination of sports, music, and tradition transformed the stadium into a lively venue, reigniting rural heritage with a modern sense of pride.
Significantly, winners from various categories are currently receiving specialized dance training in preparation for the grand cultural showcase ‘Kumara Punei Jahna Loo’ on October 7 at the ITI Auditorium, anticipated by national and international dignitaries.