Ollywood News celebrates anniversary with folk arts festival in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: Ollywood News celebrated its anniversary alongside a folk arts festival at Rabindra Mandap here on October 20, bringing together prominent personalities from Odia cinema, television, theatre, literature and traditional art forms.

Renowned actor Ashrumochan Mohanty inaugurated the folk arts festival by lighting the ceremonial lamp. Souvik Biswal, MLA, attended as the chief guest and presented awards to artistes participating in the festival.

The anniversary celebration of Ollywood News was attended by Sameer Mohanty as the chief guest, while veteran politician and former MLA Prabhat Ranjan Biswal presided over the programme. Actors Pradyumna Lenka and Ashrumochan Mohanty were also present.

More than 50 distinguished personalities who have made significant contributions to cinema, television serials, Jatra, theatre, literature and folk arts were felicitated at the event in recognition of their achievements.

The folk arts festival, organised with the support of the state Culture Department, featured performances showcasing Odisha’s rich cultural heritage. These included Paika Akhada, Sambalpuri dance and, notably, a Jagannath-themed dance-drama.

The programme witnessed the participation of a large number of artistes from the Odia film and television industries, Jatra performers, theatre personalities and eminent litterateurs, adding to the grandeur of the celebration.

The event aimed to recognise the contributions of personalities from diverse creative fields while promoting and preserving Odisha’s traditional performing arts and cultural heritage.