The Mayurbhanj Festival (Mayurbhanj Utsav), inaugurated by Odisha Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati on January 30, 2026, at Utkal Mandap in Bhubaneswar, is a three-day cultural extravaganza organized by the Mayurbhanj Cultural Association.
Festival Details
It showcases Mayurbhanj district's tribal heritage through performances of world-renowned Mayurbhanj Chhau dance (maskless, vigorous style), Jhumar, folk dances, and contemporary acts by emerging artists from remote areas alongside established Odia talents. Food stalls offer local delicacies like Muddhi-Mansa and Ram Ruchuka Curry, while a craft mela highlights stone, bamboo, and sabai grass works, fostering cultural bonding for the diaspora.
Art, Culture & Heritage Importance
Mayurbhanj Chhau, a UNESCO-recognized Intangible Cultural Heritage (2010), embodies Odisha's tribal martial-folk fusion, depicting myths via dynamic movements without masks—distinct from Saraikela/Purulia styles. Scholars like Charles Fabri view Chhau as a "sculptural dance" bridging tribal rituals and classical forms, preserving Mayurbhanj's 52+ tribes' identity amid modernization; it's vital for sustaining endangered folk arts in Similipal's biodiversity hotspot.
Static Facts
- Mayurbhanj: Odisha's largest district (10,418 sq km), known for Similipal Tiger Reserve (UNESCO Biosphere).
- Chhau origin: "Chhau" means mask (Seraikella/Purulia) but Mayurbhanj is maskless; performed during Chaitra Parva.
- Royal patronage: Bhanja dynasty (8th century onward) refined it; Baripada is epicenter.
OPSC Relevance
Links to Art & Culture (Prelims: dances, GI tags like Sabai Grass; Mains: tribal welfare, cultural policy) and Odisha GS (heritage festivals promoting tourism).
Prelims Sample (MCQ):
Q. Which of the following is a unique feature of Mayurbhanj Chhau dance?
A) Use of colourful masks
B) Maskless athletic movements
C) Solo performances only
D) Accompanied by veena
Model Ans: B) Maskless athletic movements
Mains Sample (10M): Discuss the role of festivals like Mayurbhanj Utsav in preserving Odisha's tribal intangible heritage. (Ans: ~150 words—highlight UNESCO status, youth platforms, challenges like urbanization; suggest policy integration via ODISHAPARWA)
Analysis
This event counters cultural dilution by platforming remote talents, boosting eco-tourism (Mayurbhanj's mineral-rich, tribal economy), and aligning with Odisha's heritage promotion (e.g., Ekamra Kshetra). For OPSC, it exemplifies "living heritage" questions on cultural continuity.