Posted on 10 June 2026:

Swapnila Odisha: A Tribute to the Poet of Dreams

**Anwesha Kala Kendra’s Swapnila Odisha: Bhanja Smriti Re unfolds as a luminous homage to Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja—the radiant jewel of Odia literature.**

On June 19, 2026, the Stein Auditorium in New Delhi will resonate with poetic cadence and cultural splendour, honouring Odisha’s timeless literary heritage.

With Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Minister for Culture and Tourism, gracing the occasion as Chief Guest, the programme will feature acclaimed artists alongside a 20-member troupe from Berhampur and Ganjam, illuminating Odisha’s classical and folk traditions.

From insightful panel discussions and graceful Odissi performances to vibrant folk traditions like Sakhi and Danda Nacha, the evening promises a tapestry of heritage woven with reverence and rhythm.

Swapnila Odisha is more than an event—it is a luminous offering, weaving together poetry, dance, and folk spirit to awaken collective memory and celebrate India’s diverse cultural tapestry.

Vidushi Kavita Dwibedi: Dancing to the Poetry of Upendra Bhanja

The evening’s radiance deepens with a special Odissi performance by the illustrious Vidushi Kavita Dwibedi, whose choreography breathes life into the timeless verses of Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja.

Her creations—Sati Vrindavati, Jai Maa Yamune, Shiv Panchakshara, and Kalijai—reflect a rare harmony of tradition and innovation, each movement echoing poetic devotion.

As director of Odissi Akademi and founder Trustee of Sanchari Foundation, Kavita Dwibedi has nurtured generations of dancers while carrying India’s cultural spirit across forty-two countries. Honoured with the Odisha State Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Mahari Award, and Sanjukta Panigrahi Award, she stands as a luminous ambassador of Odissi—where rhythm becomes reverence and poetry finds its eternal dance.

Swapnila Odisha becomes more than a tribute—it blossoms into a shared celebration.

Envisioned with luminous devotion by Anwesha Brahma, Secretary of Anwesha Kala Kendra, who conceptualised the Festival, beautifully expressed: “Culture is most meaningful when it is shared. Swapnila Odisha is not merely a tribute to Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja; it is a celebration of Odisha’s literary, musical and artistic soul… Guests will also have the opportunity to experience traditional Odia cuisine, making the evening a celebration of both the artistic and culinary heritage of Odisha.”

Open to scholars, artists, the Odia community, and all culture enthusiasts, the event invites audiences into a luminous journey—where poetry, dance and flavor unite to honor one of India’s greatest literary icons.