Let’s lapse into selective amnesia for a few days and soak in the sight, smell and sound of a unique fair, Balijatra
Dr Dipak Samantarai
Balijatra is a heady concoction. Glory of the past, enterprise of the present, dreams of a sunny future make an intoxicating brew. History legends folklore coexist in a reality which is both real and virtual.
This year, 2024, is going to be a glittering celebration of the Maritime History of Odishan Culture and South Asian Countries. Ambassadors and representatives of 13 countries are going to attend the inaugural ceremony and showcase their culture during these eight days long extravaganza.
A few months back, the Archaeological Survey of India conducted a fresh round of excavations of Barabati Fort area to reiterate the links of Odisha with the South Asian countries and Others.
Dr Dibisida Gadanayak who oversaw the operation says “Our findings indicate a strong link with the South East, China and Turkey. After the dating is done, we are sure that the antiquity of human civilization here will go back by 300 to 400 years.”
Balijatra has already got a National Maritime Fair tag. The authorities backed by some enthusiasts want a World Heritage status for Balijatra.
Kartika Purnima is an auspicious day in the Hindu calendar. It’s also the day on which Guru Nanak Dev was born. Incidentally on his way to Puri, Guru Nanak Dev stayed at Cuttack for a few days. Commemorating his stay, Guru Datan Sahib Gurudwara has been established at the holy spot near Kaliaboda of Cuttack.
In the wee hours of the night/morning of Kartika Purnima women of our state, especially the married ones go to the nearest water bodies and sail paperboats with lamps lit on them. This is a symbolic ritual that reminds of a real act, seeing off of Sadhabpuas setting sail to distant lands for trade, commerce and culture exchanges.
The presence and the prowess of the Kalinga merchants, of which the state of Odisha used to be an integral part of, was so well known that Kalidas has referred to the King of Kalinga in his Raghuvamsa. He has called him Mahodadhipati (the Lord of the Sea).
Aryamanjusrimulakalpa, a Buddhist Mahayana text, talks of Kalingaodresu “all islands of the Kalinga Sea”. Historians think that the eastern part of the modern Bay of Bengal was known as the Kalinga Sea in the distant past. And the ships of Kalinga did have a dominant presence there.
Biju Patnaik, the iconic Odia leader, took up a bold initiative to revive the age-old relationship with Bali and other Indonesian islands and retrace the ancient trade route in 1992/93. It is worthwhile to recollect in brief how Biju Patnaik’s Kalinga Balijatra took off.
INS Samudra, a sailing yacht was readied for the voyage by the Indian Navy at the request of the government of Odisha. It had to travel from Paradip Port to Bali. Five crew members of the Navy were joined by two Odia civilians for the trip. The civilians were selected through advertisements in newspapers. The team went through rigorous training for undertaking the voyage. A series of cultural activities were planned around the event.
The ship set sail on the 10th of November 1992, after being flagged off by the then Chief Minister of Odisha, Biju Patnaik amidst a befitting cultural extravaganza. INS Samudra touched Gopalpur, Visakhapatnam, Madras, then entered Campbell bell (Nicobar Island) and reached Benoa Harbour. It did call on the ports of Penang, Jakarta, and Surabaya located in Indonesia.
After an adventurous, sometimes dangerous, voyage, the yacht arrived at the Benoa Harbor and received a very warm welcome by the Governor of Bali and several other officials and the general public on the 31st of January, 1993.
The voyage did have its share of hardships and troubles. Snapping of the chain of the steel rudder, choppy sea, unfavorable weather conditions, mechanical failures were handled by the team admirably well. Patience, expertise, training, everything combined together came to their rescue.
A number of cultural events showcasing the maritime history of the two people and their cultural ties were put on display.
On 3rd of February,1993, after an event- studded stay of a month, the yacht cast-off ceremonially for the return journey. And reached Paradip after more than forty days of traveling. Whether the voyage succeeded in giving a fillip to tourism or not is perhaps debatable. But it certainly revived interest in the ancient maritime activities of Kalinga.
The travails of an imaginary character Taapoi and the continuing practice of Khudurkuni Osha being observed by unmarried girls strengthens our conviction of a prosperous past.
Let’s hope that the presence of so many Ambassadors and cultural troupes in Balijatra not only strengthens our ties with these countries but also provides a fillip to trade and commerce.
The organisers hope that the pavilion of Odia cinema is going to be a big draw. They claim that there is something for everyone this year in Balijatra.
Let’s lapse into selective amnesia for a few days and soak in the sight, smell and sound of a unique fair, Balijatra.
Enjoy Balijatra!
(Dr Dipak Samantrai is a former public broadcaster, media educator and history enthusiast living in millennium city of Cuttack. Views Expressed are Personal.)
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