New Delhi: The expat Odia community in Abu Dhabi, UAE, celebrated UTKAL DIVAS cum annual function “UTKARSHA-2019” on 3rd May, 2019 at “Abu Dhabi Theater” under the aegis of Oriya Samaj Abu Dhabi (OSA). The 3rd edition of UTKARSHA was more grand and extravagant than the earlier editions. The grand event was attended by eminent dignitaries, renowned stars, and divas from Ollywood, along with leading expat Odia families from Abu Dhabi, Al-Ain, Dubai, Sharjah, and Fujairah. The whole expat Indian Odia community came together to celebrate this special and unique Odia function.
Eminent ”son of the soil” Padmashri Dr. Prakash Rao was the Special guest at the event who was duly honoured by OSA for his vast contributions to nation-building. He urged the youth and the expat community to participate in nation-building and contribute to the betterment of the society. Mrs. Pooja Vernaker, First Secretary (CA & EC), Indian Embassy, Abu Dhabi was the Chief Guest at this annual event.
Ollywood diva Elina Samantaray, flamboyant playback singer, Tapu Mishra, renowned Odishi dancer and actress, Gargi Mohanty, and percussionists Soumyajit, and Joyti Ranjan added colour and variety to UTKARSHA 2019 through their performances. Pradeep Kumar Rath, President – Odia Samaj Abu Dhabi, thanked all the dignitaries, artists, participants, and the colorful and diverse audience for the grand success of the memorable event.
The event commenced with our motherland’s national song, ”Vande Utkala Janani”, followed by “A Journey with Ollywood Legends” – a program depicting the history of Oriya film industry. These were followed by folk dance and fashion shows by in-house artists of OSA. Pradeep Kumar Rath -President, OSA, Siddartha Das – General Secretary, and Kamal Kumar Panda – Cultural Secretary, shared their views on the historical events that led to the foundation of the State of Odisha.
Ollywood actress Elina, kept the audience rooted to their seats through her scintillating dance performances, while Tapu Mishra cast a magic spell on the audience by her soulful renditions of different songs. The audience was also treated with Bidu Sir’s Sizzler Dance Group’s scintillating dance performances.
OSA’s annual souvenir ”Prabasi Utkarsha” was also launched during the event, signifying its efforts in spreading odia cultural traditions and literature far and wide. The winners of the historical quiz on Odisha, which continued for five days were also honored and awarded during the event.
OSA’s President Mr. Pradeep Kumar Rath was ably supported and guided by advisors, Dr. Himanshu Das, Ashok Mohanty, and Ashok Panda in organizing the event on such a grand scale. OSA delegates and office bearers who play key roles in managing various programs during the event included Sri Arun Malik, Sidharth Das, Balakrushna Bisoi, Kamal Panda, Sukarna Behera, Pratik Das, Sudhanshu Patro, Sushovan Das, Abdur Rauf, Manas Udgata, Kartik Singh, Amulya Sahoo, Rabi Narayana Das, Sushanta Mahapatra, Satyabrata Patra, Siddartha Sabat, Pradeep Sahu, Saugat Nayak, Sanjeeb Patel, Ranjit Dash, Dillip Nayak, Srikant Mohanty, Sudhir Panda. These guys worked hard to make UTKARSHA-2019 a grand success.
The amalgamation of the expat Odia community under the umbrella of OSA in Abu Dhabi remains instrumental in spreading and growing Odisha’s traditions, music, and music in such distant countries.
Last but not the least, we the expat community under aegis of OSA pray lord Jagannath for the recovery and welfare of all those who have suffered from cyclone “Fani”. May lord Jagannath give all of us the strength to support each other in this hour of need.
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