Harmony Through Heritage: The Radiant Soul of Parab 2025
This year, the legendary festival—fittingly dubbed the "Festival of Festivals"—has transcended its own history to become a breathtaking bridge between the ancestral past and a vibrant future.
Deep in the heart of the Eastern Ghats, where the mist-covered peaks of Deomali meet the ancient rhythms of the earth, the spirit of Koraput has found its ultimate expression in Parab 2025. This year, the legendary festival—fittingly dubbed the “Festival of Festivals”—has transcended its own history to become a breathtaking bridge between the ancestral past and a vibrant future. From the first ceremonial flame lit at the Shiva Temple in Kutunipadar to the echoing drumbeats of the grand finale, the month-long odyssey has painted the district in colors of unity, resilience, and unbridled joy.
The Grand Finale: A Spectacle of Sound and Light
The five-day grand finale, from December 18 to 22 at the sprawling Parab Ground in Koraput town, served as the spectacular peak of a journey that began weeks ago at the panchayat level. With seating for over 40,000 spectators and a massive insurance cover to ensure a safe, inclusive environment, the scale of this year’s celebration was unprecedented. The air hummed with an electric energy as the main stage became a theater for over 500 artists from across India, yet the spotlight remained firmly on the local stars. Under the theme “Harmony through Heritage,” the finale is not just a performance but a homecoming, where the local administration and the people stood together to take a solemn “Parab Oath,” reaffirming their commitment to preserving the cultural identity of southern Odisha.
The Tribal Heartbeat: A Living Museum
At the center of Parab 2025 lies the profound and beautiful soul of the indigenous communities. The festival is a sensory journey into the lives of the Bonda, Gadaba, Paraja, and Kondh tribes, whose stories are told through the fluid movements of the Dhemsa dance and the haunting melodies of traditional flutes. Unlike a static museum, this celebration offered a “living exhibition” of tribal lifestyle. Visitors walked through stalls that were more than mere shops; they were gateways to ancient wisdom, featuring live demonstrations of traditional arts and crafts.
Every drumbeat at Parab 2025 told a story of courage and coexistence. Men and women in vibrant traditional attire, adorned with intricate jewelry and typical headgears, reclaimed the narrative of their heritage, turning the festival ground into a mosaic of indigenous life. The inclusion of the Durua tribe’s cultural showcases and the focus on “hidden talents” from the most remote villages ensured that the festival remained grassroots at its core. Beyond the dances, the flavors of traditional tribal cuisine and the display of organic forest products reminded everyone that this culture is deeply rooted in a sacred relationship with nature.
A Legacy Reimagined
Since its inception in 1996, Parab has grown from a local initiative into a movement of national significance. This year’s edition, meticulously organized by the Koraput District Administration, successfully balanced the grandeur of a modern festival with the delicate preservation of tribal traditions. As the curtains fall on Parab 2025, the echoes of the drums remain, a reminder that in the hills of Koraput, heritage is not something to be kept in the past, it is a living, breathing force that continues to light the way forward.
