Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Anwesha Kala Kendra Celebrates 25 Years of Folk Traditions
Anwesha Kala Kendra is a cultural group from Brahmapur that has worked for 25 years.
It was started in 2001 by Usha Rani Mahapatra.
She named it after her daughter, Anwesha Brahma, who is an Odissi dancer.
The group shows folk dances, music, theatre and classical performances.
It helps audiences learn about traditions that are not always widely known.
AKK took Odisha’s folk arts to New Delhi in 2017.
It also presented several Odisha folk forms and the programme “Swapnila Odisha” in 2026.
The group wants to give traditional artists more opportunities and preserve their art for future generations.
Anwesha Kala Kendra, founded in Brahmapur in 2001, is marking 25 years of promoting India’s folk and traditional performing arts.
The organisation has presented folk and classical dance, traditional music, theatre and multidisciplinary cultural productions.
Its 2017 New Delhi presentation featured Odisha’s Bagha Nacha and Chadheya Chadheyani folk forms.
In 2026, the group presented Odisha’s traditional forms at Stein Auditorium and staged “Swapnila Odisha” at India Habitat Centre.
Founded by Usha Rani Mahapatra in honour of her daughter Anwesha Brahma, AKK now focuses on supporting artists and documenting folk traditions.
- Who
- Anwesha Kala Kendra, founded by Usha Rani Mahapatra and named after Anwesha Brahma.
- What
- The organisation is marking 25 years of promoting folk traditions, traditional performing arts and cultural heritage.
- When
- Founded in 2001; major presentations mentioned in 2017 and 2026.
- Where
- Brahmapur and New Delhi, including Stein Auditorium and India Habitat Centre.
- Why
- To preserve and document folk forms, support traditional artists and bring lesser-known cultural traditions to wider audiences.
- Organisation
- Anwesha Kala Kendra (AKK)
- Founded
- 2001 in Brahmapur
- Milestone
- 25 years of cultural work
- 2017 presentation
- A New Delhi programme featuring Bagha Nacha and Chadheya Chadheyani
- January 2026 programme
- A presentation featuring Prahlada Nataka, Ranappa, Dhoba Dhoboni and Nava Durga
- June 2026 programme
- “Swapnila Odisha,” celebrating the literary and artistic legacy of Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja
- Founder
- School teacher and cultural enthusiast Usha Rani Mahapatra