A cultural manifestation of the hidden age-old traditional performing art of a vast geographical area is possible through this annual celebration of the festival in the name of” Lok Mahotsav”. This festival is by the people, for the people, of the people & a reflection of the socio- anthropological evolution of the people of an area. This festival is not only a source of entertainment & festivity;
it is capable of exhibiting the amazing conglomeration of traditions, beliefs, sorrows & philosophies of the people which vitalize the rituals & festivals. One can feel by seeing the unimpaired preservation of these to the present day. These aspects of the people give meaning & depth to their lives & solidarity to their social structure. Going back to a decade past, a constellation of sensible connoisseurs of culture & artists of this land, in the name of Artist Forum conceived a State level folk festival at Sambalpur to present the folk performing art on a single platform with a sincere motive of research, documentation, presentation & promotion. The idea was unique & premier of its kind. An action plan to its effect was submitted to the Government of Orissa, by the then Collector Sri T.K.Pandey, I.A.S. & it got materialized in the time of the collector Sri N.K.Mishra, I.A.S. The first ever Festival started on the 4th, 5th, & 6th January’1997 in the name of Orissa Lok Nrutya O Sangeeta Mahotsav –1997, Sambalpur. Presently, it is popularly known as Lok Mahotsav. Lok Mahotsav” is celebrated for three days on the 4th, 5th, & 6th of January every year, except the year 2000, when it was celebrated on 15th, 16th & 17th of March due to the super cyclone in Orissa. The District Council of Culture, Sambalpur, celebrates the festival in collaboration with the Department of Tourism & Culture, Government of Orissa & Eastern Zone Cultural Center, Kolkatta.
