07/08/2026
ଆମ କୋରାପୁଟ କେବଳ ଖଣିର ଭଣ୍ଡାର ନୁହେଁ… ଏହା ସଂସ୍କୃତିର ଭଣ୍ଡାର। 💔
As someone from Koraput, seeing Dhemsa being showcased on such a grand stage in Andhra Pradesh gives me two completely different feelings.
Pride — because the rhythm we grew up with is receiving national and global attention.
Pain — because our own Odisha has rarely given this culture the stage it deserves.
For decades, whenever Koraput is discussed, the conversation too often turns to what lies beneath our soil — bauxite, minerals, mines and industries.
But who talks with the same enthusiasm about what lives on this soil?
Our tribal communities.
Our languages.
Our songs.
Our festivals.
Our centuries-old traditions.
Our Dhemsa. ❤️
Dhemsa isn't merely a dance for us. It is the rhythm of our villages, the sound of our celebrations and a living expression of the identity of the tribal communities of this region.
And today, when Andhra Pradesh can gather thousands of performers and showcase Dhimsa before the country and the world, we must ask our own government:
Why couldn't Odisha do the same for Koraput?
This isn't about blaming Andhra Pradesh. In fact, they deserve appreciation for giving a tribal tradition such a massive platform.
The uncomfortable question is for us.
Why has Koraput's mineral wealth received greater attention than its cultural wealth?
Why do we realise the value of our heritage only when somebody else gives it a bigger stage?
Development is necessary. Industries may be necessary.
But development that remembers the minerals and forgets the people, their history and their culture can never tell the complete story of Koraput.
We don't want Koraput to be remembered only for what can be dug out of its mountains.
We want India to know what has been living, dancing, singing and surviving on these mountains for generations.
Today Dhemsa is receiving global attention.
I feel proud.
But somewhere inside, as a resident of Koraput, there is also a question that hurts:
“ଆମ ମାଟିର ସଂସ୍କୃତିର ମୂଲ୍ୟ ଆମେ କେବେ ବୁଝିବା?”
Koraput deserves recognition not just for its mines, but for its people, history, heritage and identity. ❤️🌿
କୋରାପୁଟ କେବଳ ସମ୍ପଦର ମାଟି ନୁହେଁ,
କୋରାପୁଟ ଆମ ସଂସ୍କୃତିର ମାଟି।
Image generated from Chatgpt, Ignore the mistake.
