Bhu Festo Concludes, Enchanting Bhubaneswar with Stories and Culture

Bhubaneswar: The curtains fell on the third edition of Bhubaneswar Kahani Utsav, popularly known as Bhu Festo, organized by the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA), on Monday. The event, hosted at four prominent venues across the city, provided a captivating showcase of tales, narratives, and cultural riches.

From 2:30 to 7:30 in the afternoon, eager crowds gathered at Indira Gandhi Park, Odisha Handicrafts Museum (Kaladhoom), APJ Abdul Kalam Park (Kalingnagar), and Niladri Bihar’s Buddha Park to witness storytelling sessions that celebrated Odia stories, cuisine, novels, and biographies. The festival coincided with the upcoming First World Odia Conference, adding a cultural flourish to the city.

The festival featured a diverse lineup of storytellers, stand-up comedians, film stars, and folk actors, each contributing their unique narratives to the vibrant tapestry of the event. From humorous anecdotes to profound reflections on life, the stories encompassed a wide spectrum of perspectives.

Esteemed storytellers like Kuna Tripathi, Akash Das Naik, Usasi Mishra, Ankita Patnaik, and others held the audience spellbound with their captivating narratives. Notable tales from Prachitara Mishra and Shashwati Patnaik resonated deeply with the attendees.

Adding humor to the festival, Rainish Mishra, Riten Patnaik, and Satyabrat showcased their comic talents, eliciting laughter and joy. Inspirational figures like Shruti Mohapatra, Meera Parida, and Ramendra Kumar shared their life stories, leaving a lasting impact on all who listened.

Sujata Priyamvada and Meera Das brought a contemporary twist to classical Oriya novels, enriching the storytelling tradition with modern narratives. The event also featured the mesmerizing Kandhei Nacha, a cultural gem cherished by villagers and urbanites alike, contributing to the cultural tapestry of Bhubaneswar.