image credits: Odia Language, Literature & Culture Department
The Rangabati Festival 2025 is set to captivate audiences in Keonjhar from May 5 to May 7. Organized by the Odia Language, Literature & Culture Department in collaboration with the Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi and the Keonjhar district administration, this three-day event brings the essence of Western Odisha’s folk traditions to the forefront. Held at Kali Padia in Keonjhar, the festival will offer a platform for renowned artists to showcase the region’s dance, music, and cultural heritage.
Named after the iconic Sambalpuri song “Rangabati,” the festival aims to preserve and promote the art, literature, and traditions of Western Odisha. The event, inaugurated by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, is a celebration of Odisha’s unique artistic legacy. As the Chief Minister aptly noted, “Rangabati is not just a song; it is a symbol of our identity, vibrancy, and cultural pride.”
Witness The Rhythms of Western Odisha in Rangabati Festival 2025
The Rangabati Festival 2025 will feature an array of folk performances that highlight the diversity and dynamism of Western Odisha’s cultural heritage. Attendees can expect mesmerizing performances of traditional dances such as Dalkhai, Rasarkeli, Humo, Chhau, Changu, and Jhumar. These dances, rooted in the region’s rural life and tribal traditions, are known for their vibrant storytelling. Accompanying the dances will be soulful folk music performed on traditional instruments like the Dhol, Tabla, and Mridangam.
The festival will also host a variety of cultural programs, bringing together prominent folk artists, dancers, and singers from Western Odisha. Intellectuals and artists have lauded the initiative, describing it as a commendable step toward keeping Odisha’s folk culture alive in modern times.
How to Visit the Rangabati Festival 2025?
The Rangabati Festival will take place at Kali Padia in Keonjhar, which offers an open and accessible space for cultural gatherings. Kalipadia is easily reachable for both local residents and visitors. The festival will take place at 6 p.m. every evening.
To reach Kalipadia, visitors can opt for several convenient travel options:
- By air, the nearest airport is Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar, approximately 220 km away. From Bhubaneswar, one can hire a taxi or take a bus to Keonjhar, a journey of about 4-5 hours.
- For those preferring rail, Keonjhar Railway Station is well-connected to Bhubaneswar, Rourkela. Additionally, Keonjhar is accessible by road via National Highway 20, with frequent bus services from Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Sambalpur.
Rangabati Mahotsav Preserving Odisha’s Cultural
The Rangabati Festival is Odisha’s dedication to preserving its folk traditions. By bringing together ministers, MPs, MLAs, and prominent artists, the event shows the collective responsibility to nurture the state’s cultural roots. The festival creates a sense of pride and belonging among Odias from Western Odisha, whose traditions are often overshadowed by more widely recognized art forms like Odissi.
