Kala Bhoomi Marks 8th Foundation Day with Cultural Showcase in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: The Kala Bhoomi museum celebrated its 8th Foundation Day on Sunday at Gandamunda with a vibrant blend of cultural performances and public engagement, drawing a large number of visitors.

To mark the occasion, entry to the museum was made free, allowing people to explore Odisha’s rich artistic heritage. The celebrations featured captivating performances, including sitar and tabla recitals, along with Odissi and Sambalpuri folk dances, creating a festive atmosphere for attendees.

Senior officials including Nivedita Prusty, Director of Handicrafts; Somesh Kumar Upadhyay, Director of Textiles and Handlooms; and Chinmayi Biswal, Member Secretary of SIDAC, were present at the event. During the programme, speakers reflected on the museum’s journey since its inception and emphasised the need for collective efforts to position Kala Bhoomi on the global cultural map.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Saswati Sahu, Chief Executive Officer of the museum.

Established as a centre to showcase Odisha’s traditional craftsmanship, Kala Bhoomi houses dedicated galleries on terracotta, traditional paintings, stone carving, and metal crafts. Over the years, it has emerged as a key hub for cultural preservation, research, and tourism, attracting visitors, scholars, and art enthusiasts from across the world.

The museum has also gained attention for hosting large-scale initiatives such as the recent Toshali Mela, where the works of over 1,000 terracotta artisans were showcased, further reinforcing its role in promoting indigenous art forms.