Bhubaneswar: Pledging their love for heritage, art, crafts and handloom 85 walkers today participated in two walks, i.e. Ekamra Walks Old Town Circuit and the Museum Walk at Crafts Museum, near Gandamunda.
While 25 came for the Old Town heritage trail early in the morning, 60 came to join the Museum Walk in the afternoon. A Ph.D. student from University of Michigan, USA joined both the walks. An NRI Odia family from Philadelphia, a senior advertising professional based in Singapore and a banker from Bilaspur were among the walkers, who joined the 82nd Ekamra Walks Old Town Circuit today.
Saachi Das Kuwayama, daughter of Odissi dancer Mona Liza Das, who is now based in Chicago is doing her doctoral studies from University of Michigan in Anthropology. Currently in city for her study related work, she is staying with her maternal grandfather. Saachi’s father is from Japan.
“I really liked the heritage walk and also planning to join the Monks, Caves and Kings at Jain heritage site Udayagiri-Khandagiri during my stay here. I am really amazed today knowing about the temple architecture and the uniqueness of the Kalingan temple building techniques,’’ said Saachi.
Rashmi Ranjan Rout, an IT professional from Philadelphia, USA, came from Cuttack with wife Bhabapreeta Das and son Maanav. Rashmi Ranjan, who works with German based multinational IT major SAP, said “it was really nice to know and re-discover our roots. My son Maanav, who is in VIIth Grade in USA would also benefit immensely from this heritage walk.’’
Bhabapreeta said “we have been to these monuments before, but with proper guide and a group of like-minded walkers the experience was something very different from the previous visit.’’
Swathi, a journalist from BusinessLine, the business newspaper of The Hindu, New Delhi joined the heritage walkers and was impressed with the overall experience. “I liked it a lot and it actually gave me a broad overview of the history, architecture, traditions and culture of Old Bhubaneswar,’’ she said. Swathi was part of a team of journalist, invited by Odisha Tourism to take part in the pre-event media briefing for Make in Odisha-2018, scheduled to be held in November this year.
Nihar Das, from this city and Global Account Director for P&G spanning across 65 markets worldwide, came to the walk with his college friend at BJB College, Bhubaneswar, Santosh Sahoo. Das is currently based in Singapore. Both were in Plus Two Science Class of 1985-87. Santosh is now a Chief Manager with the Oriental Bank of Commerce, Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh. Both the friends had joined the Monks, Caves and Kings heritage walk in Udayagiri-Khandagiri yesterday.
Regarding the monuments of Old Town the Singapore-based professional said “we need to keep the monuments and nearby areas more cleaner as today during the walk at many locations garbage was found not lifted till 9 am. The civic authorities should act fast.’’
The walkers, while assembling near the Northern Gate of Lingaraj Temple (Curzon Mandap) also had a small discussion session on the Kalingan temple architecture among themselves.
FIFTH MUSEUM WALK
Despite the rainy and humid weather 60 visitors today joined the Museum Walk at the Crafts Museum, Kala Bhoomi, along the proposed Heritage Corridor along the Pokhariput-Khandagiri Road. It can be mentioned here that within a short span of five walks the Museum Walk has attracted more than 400 visitors from all age groups.
Besides the different galleries the visitors also take part in the live pottery-making activity and also soak themselves in the serene atmosphere of Kala Bhoomi, where music jugalbandi is also organized during every event. Different folk dance forms and other performances are also organized at the amphitheatre.
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