The four-day long Kalahandi Utsav concluded on Wednesday mid night amidst much fanfare. During the 4 days, the festival showcased rich cultural heritage, folk dances and development project models of Kalahandi. There was interaction with the folk dance troupes from different parts of the state and country.
The craft mela, krushi mela and pallisri mela organised alongside the festival also drew huge crowd and did brisk business. In the valedictory function MP Arkakesari Deo attended as chief gfuest and chairman Zilla parishad Namitarani Sahu, MLA Dibyasankar Mishra, and director of Odisha Livelihood Mission Pranabyoti Nath attended.
Late Udayanath Nanda, veteran stage artist cum director of repute, portrait painter of excellence and foot ball player was conferred with Kalahandi Ratna honour posthumously. For literary excellency short story writer Debahuti Kar, performing art stage and cine artist Abdul Kadir, social service Shayam Sundar Jal running orphanage and rescuing deserted children , for exemplary agriculture practice Jahna Bisi and for foot ball Ladukeswar Mishra were conferred with Kalahandi Baraputra Samman last night. Earlier, 12 farmers for their Excellencies and Child/ youth prodigies of the district were felicitated.
The valedictory function continued till midnight despite mercury dripping below 8 degree.