Animation film on Nabakalebara released online

Odisha Channel Bureau Bhubaneswar, May 7: Odisha Government’s Tourism Department today had a global online release of “Divine Rebirth”, a sand art animation film on Nabakalebara by internationally acclaimed sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik.The short film will also be available on DVDs.”The film depicts the rituals associated with Nabakalebara, starting from Banajaga Yatra (search for Neem trees by Daitapati servitors of Puri temple) to Ghata Paribartan (transferring the soul to the new idols),” Pattnaik said.The aim of this short film is to edify the masses about Nabakalebara which occurs every twelve to nineteen years.A year which has two months (Adhika Masa) of Ashadha as per the Hindu calendar is auspicious for conducting the ceremony.The Idols are made from a special type of Neem wood known as Daru Bramha.Since Jagannath’s Nabakalebara is mostly a secret ritual, which cannot be shot on camera, Sudarshan has used 5 kilos of holy sand from Puri beach, wonderfully visualising the concept through sand animation and weaving the entire story within seven minutes.“Odisha Tourism is proud to associate with Sudarsan Pattnaik and this film will be showcased across the globe,” said Tourism Secretary Arvind Padhee.This short film is co-produced by Prelude, a media and entertainment company.“It feels honored to be part of something so sacred and to be able to convey what this festival is all about artistically,” said Sanu Ratho, director of Prelude and a renowned anchor of Odisha who also lent the background voice for the film.The sand art animation film was launched at Bhubaneswar in presence of Tourism and Culture Minister Ashok Chandra Panda, Chief Secretary Gokul Chandra Pati, Development Commissioner Upendra Nath Behera and Additional Chief Secretary to Chief Minister Aditya Prasad Padhi.