Bhubaneswar: Odisha and Punjab shared the stage in UK with Odia Society of United Kingdom (OSUK) bringing the two cultures together at its two-day convention in Manchester recently, blending traditional music, dance and community celebration.The unusual fusion is also reflecting an unusual diaspora identity where younger generations are embracing their regional roots while creating a shared Indo-British cultural space.A central feature was the audio-visual presentation ‘Puri to Punjab’, which explored the historic and spiritual relationship between Odisha and Sikhism. Dr Rajinder Pal Singh, one of the organisers, accompanied by young participant Darspreet Singh of Manchester, narrated Guru Nanak Dev’s journey to Puri. It linked the spiritual heritage of Puri with Sikh history, the creation of Khalsa Panth and sacrifices of the Sikh gurus.Attendees were enthralled by performances of Odissi, Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Giddha, Bhangra, Bollywood and Sambalpuri dance, Sanskrit shlokas, Hindustani and Carnatic music, instrumental and drama presentations. Award-winning Odissi exponent Saswat Joshi and his team presented a tribute to Lord Jagannath. Odissi dancer Premanand Sahu, Hindustani classical vocalist Vijay Rajput, Kathak dancer Kajal Sharma and her students presented three performances, while the North-West Ladies’ Sambalpuri Dance.The programme also featured the drama ‘Salabega’, written and directed by Dr Anjana Satpathy, in which she was also the lead actress; and the classical Odissi dance performance ‘Ahe Nila Saila’ by Praanjol Nanda. The Punjabi dimension was highlighted through a Giddha performance led by Dr Kapilmeet Kaur and a high-energy Bhangra performance by Birmingham-based Gabru Punjab De. The OSUK journal, Kalinga Kesari, was presented as a lasting record of the convention.A special audio-visual presentation conceived and conducted by Dr Rajinder Pal Singh recognised individuals who had faced cancer with courage and clinicians who have contributed to cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Kulwant Singh Dhaliwal of World Cancer Care delivered an address on positive thinking, cancer awareness and the importance of bringing communities together.The convention also observed a minute’s silence in memory of those who had passed away in the Nepal floods. Also present were consul-general of India in Manchester Vishakha Yaduvanshi and former president of British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin Prof Jas Bamrah.
