[gallery bgs_gallery_type="slider" size="medium" ids="248765,248762,248764,248763,248766"]
Bhubaneswar/Gurgaon: In commemoration of the 200th year of ‘Paika’ Rebellion of Khurda, an enthralling dance drama 'Odia Paika' was organised by Odia Samaj in Gurgaon on Friday in association with the Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd.
Similar dance dramas have been organised by the Odia Samaj earlier twice in Lucknow and Delhi. It has plans to organise such functions in other states in near future.
The dance drama ‘Odia Paika’, performed by students of Nrutya Naivedya, Bhubaneswar, narrated the story of Martyrs like Jayee Rajguru who initiated the revolt against the British as early as 1803. It also showcased the role of great freedom fighters of ‘Paika’ Rebellion of 1817 such as Buxi Jagabandhu, Madhav Chandra Routray, Pindiki Bahubalendra and Krutibasa Patsani besides many eminent ‘Paika’ heroes of Khurda Gada who sacrificed their lives in their fight against the British forces in Odisha.
Earlier on July 20, former President of India, Pranab Mukherjee at the event held at New Delhi to mark the bicentenary of ‘Paika’ Rebellion had advised to document the rebellion to keep the tale of valour alive. “I will not call it a rebellion by the ‘Paikas’ but frankly speaking it is one of the earliest freedom movements of this country which began in Odisha,” Mukherjee had said.
The event on Friday was an effort to promote Odisha's rich cultural and political ethos and a step to bring together the Odia community residing outside the State, said sources.