Odisha’s Rasagola gets a new anthem

Bhubaneswar : As the world prepares to celebrate Rasagola Dibasa on Friday, coinciding with Niladri Bije, the final day ritual of the annual Ratha Jatra festival, celebrated Odia author Subhransu Panda has created an innovative Rasagola anthem.

Released on Thursday evening, the song depicts the Jagannatha culture, the temple tradition entangled with Rasagola, and the divine discord between Jagannatha and his wife Laxmi. Panda conceptualised and wrote the song, while Abhijeet Mishra, a renowned vocalist, composed and sang it.

Subhransu Panda states, “The song is a fusion of mediaeval-era traditional Odia music and modern composition. Three parts of this anthem follow the pattern of three traditional songs composed by the great Odia poets Upendra Bhanja, Salabega, and Banamali Dasa. Jaganatha Dasa’s Bhagabata is the sole inspiration for the song’s opening lines. The song also depicts the Dahuka Boli of Ratha Jatra.”

In an event organised by Odia Media Private Limited at Jayadev Bhawan,  Odisha’s Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, and acclaimed Odissi vocalist Padma Shri Shyamamani Devi shared the stage as guests and appreciated the concept and the song.

A short film depicting the complete song shoot in different locations in Puri, Konark, and Bhubaneswar was also screened at the event. Famous Odissi dance Guru Saswat Joshi and his students performed the song live on stage, depicting the age-old tradition of offering Rasagola as prasad in Puri shrine.

Earlier, the author-musician duo Subhransu Panda and Abhijet Mishra made two anthems, respectively, for Chhenapoda and Odia Language, which made sensations on social media.