The Pioneer, Oct 20, 2010
PNS | Bhubaneswar
The effort of Vedanta Aluminium Ltd (VAL), which has been widely accused of threatening the culture and existence of the Dongria Kondhs in Kalahandi, has resulted in the creation of the first-ever cassette of this tribal community’s music and songs in their very own Kui dialect.
Addressing mediapersons, eminent cultural personalities from Odisha and a large gathering of Dongria Kondhs in their traditional costumes at the launch ceremony of the music cassette Niyamgiri ti Rani organsied here on Tuesday, Minister for SC & ST Development of Odisha and chief guest on the occasion Bijayaranjan Singh Bariha termed it as a path breaking initiative by Vedanta which is worth emulating by other corporate houses.
Chief of VAL Dr Mukesh Kumar said that preservation of cultural heritage is as important as socio-economic development. He reiterated Vedanta’s focus on an overall development of Kalahandi district, where VAL’s smelter is located. Others present were Member of Parliament Siddhanta Mohapatra, former Minister Balabhadra Majhi, Odissi Guru Ramahari Das, noted Odissi dancer Aruna Mohanty and Director of SC & ST Research Institute of the State Dr AB Ota.
The album comprises eight beautiful Kui songs composed by noted Odia music director Manmath Mishra. The songs are written by Gopal Melaka; and the singers are Jitu Jakasika, Ramesh Kulesika, Gopal Melaka, Stephen and Biraji. All are Dongria Kondhs of Lanjigarh and Muniguda. Jitu Jakasika said that there are plans to release a video album followed by live performances all across India.
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