Vibrant spirit of rural sports comes alive in Brahmapur

Brahmapur: The cultural spirit of Brahmapur was rekindled when the Madhumaya Panigrahi Foundation (MPF) organised a vibrant showcase of traditional rural sports at the Khallikote University Stadium. Traditional games such as Khapara Dian, Kaudi Khela, Daudi Dian, and Thia Puchi brought alive the cultural pulse of rural Odisha, drawing enthusiastic participation from girl students and women.

Nearly 300 spirited participants from Brahmapur and nearby areas revived age-old games under the rhythmic tunes of Kumar Punei songs. The event, graced by Khallikote University Vice-Chancellor Asima Sahu as chief guest, hailed it as an “extraordinary sports and cultural revival.” Distinguished guests included ITI Brahmapur Principal Ranjan Kumar Parida, who described the initiative of MPF as a unique step to revive the nearly extinct rural sports for women in Odisha. Noted psychologist and event chairperson Sudipta Panigrahi thanked the participants, guardians and all others who have encouraged the rural sports and helped the MPF for the last 17 years to revive the almost extinct rural sports.

Tuku Sethi of Brahmapur and South Odisha’s International Running Star in 100-metre, 200-metre race and 4X100 metre Relay Race was felicitated by the Chief Guest on behalf of MPF. Organised under the banner of Madhumaya Panigrahi Foundation and the ‘Kumar Punei Jahna Loo’ Festival Committee–2026, the occasion witnessed enthusiastic participation in seven traditional sports for women, adjudicated by eight veteran sportspersons Binayak Hota and his team including Manorama Maharana, Sony Patnaik, Sarat Mahapatra, Rabindra Maharana and Basanti Patra, Sukanti Devi and Sujata Bishoyi.

The initiative, aimed at nurturing both physical vitality and mental well-being, seeks to grant these vanishing folk games a new lease of life. Winners of these competitions are often groomed further to shine in cultural programmes, including the dance ballet “Thia Puchi Naranga,” which blends athleticism with artistic expression, said Chief Advisor of MPF and internationally acclaimed stage anchor Hrushikesh Panigrahi.

From the rhythmic one-legged leaps of Khapara Dian to the communal strategy of Kaudi Khela, blowing of Sankha and the spirited chants of Hulahuli, the air resonated with the vibrancy of Odia tradition. The Foundation’s mission is clear—preserve, promote, and pass on these cultural treasures to the generations yet to come.

The festival’s magical blend of sports, song, and tradition transformed the stadium into a vibrant arena, rekindling rural heritage with a modern spirit of pride. The successful participants, including Suchitra, Smruti, Liza, Anisha, Tapasya, Alisha, Deeptimayee, Subhasmita, Priyanka, Ragini, Sanjana, Sandhyarani, Deepika and Santosini, will receive special dance training from Monday.

Following the training, the girls are scheduled to perform at the main ‘Kumara Punei Jahna Lo’ festival on October 25 at the ITI auditorium in Brahmapur before distinguished national and international guests, chief convenor Hrushikesh Panigrahi said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sunil Mohan Patnaik

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