Classical grace met heartwarming charm on the second day of the 37th PECUC Sisumela on Sunday, as the ‘Baby of the Year’ contest and an Odissi dance competition emerged as the major crowd-pullers at the Ekamra Haat Amphitheatre.
The day’s festivities began on a colourful note in the morning with a vibrant Fine Art Competition. Young participants picked up their brushes to illustrate their vision of a developed Odisha, a cleaner Bhubaneswar, and environmental conservation. This was followed by a spirited song competition that saw enthusiastic participation from schoolchildren across Bhubaneswar and neighbouring districts.
As evening fell, the open-air amphitheatre came alive with the adorable ‘Baby of the Year’ showcase, drawing cheers and applause from proud parents and spectators. Immediately following, young dancers dressed in traditional Odissi attire took centre stage, captivating the audience with their poise, expressions, and rhythmic footwork.
The various competitions were evaluated by an esteemed panel of experts from the fields of art, music, and dance. Renowned artists Banchhanidhi Pattnaik and Sarojini Mohanty judged the fine arts segment, while the vocal performances were assessed by acclaimed singers Bandita Das, Harapriya Pati, Jayashree Jyotirmayee Sahoo, Itishree Dixit, Dr. Purarima Pradhan, Dr. Milan Meher, and Dr. Sunanda Pattnaik. National and international Odissi exponents Meenakshi Behera, Mamata Shatapathy, Ahuti Baral, and Annapurna Mahanty served on the jury for the classical dance competition.
The evening session was graced by distinguished guests including Sujata Nayak (Member, OSCPCR), Banishree Pattnaik (DCPO, Khordha), educationist Chitralekha Mohanty, development professional Ruby Rout, and Rupak Mohapatra (District Programme Manager, NHM, Sonepur). Addressing the gathering, the dignitaries urged parents and educators to actively encourage children to participate in cultural platforms, noting that such exposure nurtures hidden talent and builds confident personalities. They also underscored the collective responsibility of ensuring a safe and protective environment for every child.
Organised in association with the Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department, Government of Odisha, the event was attended by Sishumela Committee President Pradosh Kumar Patnaik, PECUC Secretary Ranjan Kumar Mohanty, and PECUC Executive Director Anuradha Mohanty. PECUC team members Ratna Dash, Jyotishankar Mohanty, Puja Panda, Pravat Kumar Sahoo, and Santilata Sahoo coordinated the proceedings.
Looking Ahead: Day 3 Schedule (Nov 16)
The celebrations continue on Monday with a packed itinerary blending civic awareness and creative expression:
- 11 AM: Girls’ Mock Assembly (Venue: Buddha Mandir, Bhubaneswar)
- 4 PM: Rhymes Competition for Nursery to Class 1 (Venue: Ekamra Haat Amphitheatre)
- 6 PM: Shikhiba, Bhabiba o Kahiba – Growing Mind, Sharing Voice (Pilamanankara Swara) (Venue: Ekamra Haat Amphitheatre)
- 7 PM: Prize Distribution Ceremony (Venue: Ekamra Haat Amphitheatre)
