Bhubaneswar: The Odia community showcased Odisha’s rich cultural heritage and ancient history at the 44th Annual India Day Parade along Madison Avenue in New York City, presenting a vibrant tableau themed around Bali Yatra. This year’s parade theme, ‘Harmony in Heritage,’ emphasized the state’s long-standing maritime trade legacy, recalling the voyages of ancient Kalinga’s Sadhaba merchants to Bali and Southeast Asia.
Organized by the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA), the event featured the Odisha Society of the Americas (OSA) presenting a meticulously crafted wooden boat, or boita, measuring 15 feet long, 4 feet wide, and 6 feet high. Created over two months by IT professional and woodworking enthusiast Suryakant Rath, the float was brought to life through the dedicated efforts of community volunteers, including Rashmita Panda, Prajna Pradhan, Anita Patel, Tapas Jena, and youth volunteers Anwesha Rath and Aarna Malik.
The tableau rolled along a one-mile route, showcasing a traditional 10-by-6-foot Pipili chandua (appliqué work) sourced directly from Pipili in Odisha. Accompanying the float were 14 dancers performing the traditional Dhemsa dance, who had rehearsed for two months, succeeding last year’s Odissi representation.
Members of the OSA’s NYNJPA chapter, including president Nilasundar Jena, emphasized that this initiative aims to highlight Odisha’s global trade heritage while fostering cultural connections among second-generation Odia expatriates and Gen Z youth in the United States.
