week long drama-competition begins at Sambalpur from Saturday evening

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The innovative effort of a young group of Sambalpur has created revolution in the field of one-act-play and state drama in western part of the state. In the age of internet and electronic media, When stage drama is slowing loosing its value, under the banner of ‘Yuba Udayan’ the youths have set a new height by staging more than 400 original drama with in a span of 14 years. Now following the idea of the ‘Yuba Udayan’, several youth groups in Bargarh, Balangir and other places have started annual drama competition in their places converting it as a movement in the entire western Odisha.        

Sources said, ‘Juba Udayan’, an age-old youth organization of Jharuapara in Sambalpur town conceived an idea to organize ‘Sambalpuri one-act play competition’ of drama competition in the year 1997. With many difficulties, the first drama competition was organized successfully in the ‘Badduar’ (Jharuapara stage) in the first year beginning a new chapter in the history of Sambalpuri drama. This has also encouraged the artists and dramatists of the region as they get a new avenue to develop their talents. 

“In the beginning we faced several difficulties while organizing the competition. But now we become happy to see the result. It has converted it to a movement in the region. Many organizations have started organizing drama competitions in their region. It is a good sign. We see a bright future for the   stage drama in future”, Sanjay Mishra, senior member of the organizing committee of the drama competition said on Friday. According to him, 7-day drama competition under the name of ‘Veer Surendra Sai all Orissa sambalpuri drama competition’ is being organized every year and this year the competition will begin from 24^th December and conclude on 31^st December. This year also a total 21 plays will be staged by the art groups of various places of the region. On the other hand, the organizers never allow any art group to repeat a drama in the competition. “We select only original play with out any repetition in the competition to make the drama attractive and innovative”, another member of the group Jagadish Mishra said. According to him the Sadhana Kamal Bohidar of Sambalpur will be conferred with ‘Yuba Udayan’ award for her contribution in the field of state art.