Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated the Rajarani Sangeet Mahotsav 2026 at the historic Rajarani Temple courtyard on Friday, calling the event a "beautiful bridge" between India’s culture, art, and history.
Pradhan highlighted that the festival not only showcases the temple’s unique architectural heritage to global tourists but also aligns with the National Education Policy by mainstreaming Indian art and languages. He emphasized that promoting Odissi music strengthens the "Ek Bharat Sreshtha Bharat" vision by uniting eminent vocalists on a single platform.
The inaugural evening, attended by State Higher Education Minister Suryavansi Suraj and MLA Babu Singh, featured high-quality performances from national and local artists. Pradhan felicitated several talented musicians, noting that such festivals are essential to preserving Odisha’s unique cultural identity for future generations.