Latest news with #RajaParba
India.com
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Made for Rs 3 crore, this film has broken Chhaava's record in just 25 days, became highest profitable film of 2025, has IMDb rating of 8.4, movie is…, lead actors are…
Odia cinema has witnessed a groundbreaking success with the horror-comedy 'Bou Buttu Bhuta,' directed by debutant Jagdish Mishra. Released on June 12, 2025, on the sacred occasion of Raja Parba, the film stars Babushaan Mohanty, Archita Sahu, and veteran actress Aparajita Mohanty. How Bou Buttu Bhuta Has Surpassed Vicky Kaushal's Chhaava Produced on a modest budget of Rs 2–3 crore, 'Bou Buttu Bhuta' has achieved a remarkable return on investment (ROI) of over 400%, surpassing previous record-holder 'Chhaava,' which had a 373.37% ROI and has become the highest profitable film of 2025. The film's success is attributed to its unique blend of horror and comedy, rooted deeply in Odia culture and folklore. The storyline follows Buttu, a fish farmer possessed by a vengeful spirit, leading to a series of eerie events in his village. Critics and audiences alike have praised the film for its authentic portrayal of rural Odisha, incorporating local dialects, traditions, and beliefs. The dialogues, penned by Pranab Prasanna Rath, and the screenplay by Mohammad Imran, have been lauded for their originality and cultural resonance. Bou Buttu Bhutta Managed To Surpass Many Other Films The film 'Bou Buttu Bhuta,', collected Rs 15.10 crore at the box office till date, achieving a remarkable return on investment (ROI) of 403.33%. 'Chhaava,' with a massive budget of Rs 130 crore, earned Rs 615.39 crore, resulting in a strong ROI of 373.37%. The Malayalam film 'Rekhachithram,' made with Rs 6 crore, grossed Rs 27 crore, delivering an ROI of 350%. The critically acclaimed movie 'Court: State Vs A Nobody,' produced with a budget of Rs 10 crore, collected Rs 40.6 crore, registering an ROI of 306%. Lastly, Tamil film, 'Maaman', made on Rs 10 crore budget, earned Rs 39 crore, recording an ROI of 296.8%. More About Bou Buttu Bhuta The film's unprecedented success marks a significant milestone for the Odia film industry, with packed theaters and continued audience interest, 'Bou Buttu Bhuta' is poised to set new benchmarks for regional films in India. Apart from lead actors the film also features Anugulia Bunty, Choudhury Jayaprakash Das, Udit Guru, Robin Das and Krishna Das in pivotal roles, which has received rating of 8.4 on IMDb.
Scroll.in
27-06-2025
- Science
- Scroll.in
Odisha's Raja Parba celebrates fertility and the monsoon. Could it also challenge menstrual stigma?
In mid-June, as the first monsoon clouds arrive over Odisha, the Raja Parba festival marking the fertility of the earth begins. The three to four-day celebration, primarily observed by Odia Hindus, is rooted in the belief that the Earth, like a woman, undergoes a menstrual cycle. Raja is derived from 'rajaswaalaa', which means a menstruating woman in Odia. Like the menstrual cycle, which marks the fertility of the human body, monsoon rain makes the soil fertile. Agricultural activity is halted during the festival, partly in line with the belief that the earth is 'impure', like a woman during her menstrual cycle. Women, especially young, unmarried girls, are relieved of household chores. They wear new sarees and clothes, apply altaa, a red dye, to their feet and gather under mango and banyan trees to swing, sing and celebrate. The belief of 'impurity' carries the weight of stigma, but it is also tied to broader cultural practices that recognise the Earth's need for rest. Doctoral researcher Laxman Majhi writes that the festival acknowledges menstruation as a life-affirming process that symbolises the connection between womanhood, fertility and the Earth's cycles. Today, Raja Parba is observed across Odisha, including urban areas, where it has gained renewed visibility. The Odisha government officially recognises Raja and the first day, Pahili Raja, is a public holiday. This year, it fell on June 14. With its deep cultural resonance, Raja Parba offers an opportunity to challenge stigmas and taboos about menstruation. It symbolically celebrates womanhood and fertility, foregrounding the need for dignity and respect in menstrual discourse. Three days of rest Historical records are scant, but the festival is likely to have emerged in Odisha's indigenous society where nature and femininity were deeply intertwined in daily life and ritual. Speaking over the phone on June 10, media academician Rathindra Mishra said that 'Adivasi communities, with their more balanced relationship with nature, observe Raja through rituals focused on fertility, seasons, and collective well-being, rather than purity and pollution.' In contrast, dominant castes often frame the festival around ritual restriction and bodily control. Raja Parba is similar to the Ambubachi Mela in Assam, which marks the menstruation of the Kamakhya deity, during which temple activities are temporarily suspended. In the coastal and northern Odisha districts such as Cuttack, Puri, Bhubaneswar, Kendrapara and parts of Jajpur, rituals such as earth worship and preparing pitha, a sweet dish made of coconut, jaggery and rice flour, are central to Raja Parba. Largely, Raja Parba takes place in stages. Sajabaaja is the preparatory day when homes are cleaned and meals are cooked. Pahili Raja, the first day, marks the end of summer and invites pause. Mithuna Sankranti, the second and most sacred day, celebrates the arrival of the monsoon. Baasi Raja, or Bhudaaha, follows with games and leisure. In many households, Sila Silipuaa, the grinding stone, is treated as Basumati, or Earth Mother, and offered turmeric, milk and flowers as part of the Basumati Snana. Traditionally, during the festival, girls do not cut vegetables, sew, grind grains, or walk barefoot. Any action that might metaphorically or physically disturb the Earth is paused. After Raja Parba, many villages are known to observe maajanaa, a ritual involving the ceremonial cleaning of village goddesses. After three days of festivity, the final day, Sesa Raja, includes the tradition of baateibaa or 'seeing off'. This marks a shift from celebration to work, signalling the beginning of the agricultural season. Menstruation stigma The menstruation stigma against women and girls has persisted alongside Raja Parba's celebration of the earth's fertility. Through the mid-20th century, menstruating women were kept secluded in the aatu, a room at the top of a mud house, and given boiled food, according to oral histories and ethnographic accounts referred to by a sociology student in a research paper published in 2022. This practice has reduced, writes Majhi, with increased access to education, health awareness, and urban migration. But nearly half of India's adolescent girls still consider menstruation shameful. According to a research paper that involved a survey of around 1,000 women in Odisha, one-fifth of the respondents keep menstruation a 'secret' and nearly two-thirds of women report fear or anxiety during their menstrual cycle. Many also face restrictions such as being confined, barred from religious activities, or subjected to food taboos. This aligns with the findings of the fifth National Family Health Survey, conducted from 2019-'21, which show socio-economic disparities in menstrual hygiene practices. As a festival with cultural recognition across the state, Raja Parba has the potential to start a conversation and help challenge the stigma against menstruation. Raja Parba offers an opportunity to ask if menstruation is to be respected only in the garb of tradition and not in the everyday lives of girls and women. Aniruddha Jena teaches at Indian Institute of Management, Kashipur.
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Odia community celebrates Raja fest in Hamburg
1 2 3 4 Rourkela: The Odia Association Hamburg and North Germany celebrated Raja Parba, a traditional festival honouring womanhood and the monsoon season, with great enthusiasm in Hamburg on Sunday. The celebration brought together Odia families from Hamburg and neighbouring cities like Pinneberg and Lübeck, transforming a corner of Germany into a slice of Odisha for the day. "Raja is not just a festival. It celebrates femininity, nature, and our deep connection with the land," said Jayashree Sahoo, a member of the Odia Association Hamburg and North Germany. "Celebrating it here in Hamburg brings back memories of our roots and helps the next generation feel proud of their heritage." The event featured traditional elements, including decorated jhulas (swings), where women and children participated in the customary swinging ritual. Attendees, dressed in traditional attire, danced to popular Odia folk songs like 'Banaste Dakila Gaja'. A highlight of the celebration was the authentic Odia cuisine served at the venue. The menu included traditional delicacies such as 'poda pitha', 'kakera Pitha', 'chandrakanti', and kheeri among the sweets, while savoury dishes featured 'chingudi jhola', 'mutton jhola', 'ambula rai', and 'chattu besar'. The traditional pan was also served as part of the celebrations.
United News of India
19-06-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Odisha govt has failed to curb crimes against women; has pushed state into darkness: Cong
New Delhi, June 19 (UNI) Accusing the BJP-led government in Odisha of failing to curb the rising crimes against women, the Congress on Thursday strongly condemned the recent horrific gangrape incident in Gopalpur, stating that the state has been plunged into "darkness." 'A kind of darkness has engulfed Odisha. Women were promised security, but today, they have been left vulnerable. This is not the Odisha we know,' Congress MLA Sofia Firdous said here during a press conference. The Barabati-Cuttack MLA along with All India Mahila Congress president Alka Lamba and Odisha Mahila Congress president Meenakshi Bahinipati addressed the media here. Highlighting the state's cultural legacy of celebrating womanhood through festivals like 'Raja Parba' dedicated to fertility and the strength of women, Firdous alleged that three gangrape cases have been reported during the ongoing festival. "In Gopalpur, on the day of Raja Parv, a girl visiting the beach with her friend was allegedly gangraped by 10 men. In such a scenario, every girl in Odisha is left asking: when will we get justice?" she said. Meanwhile, Alka Lamba slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of making false promises to women voters during election campaigns. 'The Prime Minister seeks votes from half the population by promising safety and security. But the reality on the ground tells a different story,' she alleged. Backing her claims with data, Lamba said, 'On average, 15 rape cases are reported every day in Odisha. In just 10 months, over 4,500 women and girls have lodged complaints seeking justice and in 11 months, 28,000 women and daughters have fallen victim to various crimes'. She further alleged, 'In Bhadrak, a nurse has come forward detailing the sexual harassment and assault she faced. In Balasore, a minor girl was raped and murdered. Reports suggest that seven women are raped daily in Balasore district alone'. Meanwhile, Meenakshi Bahinipati while alleging that crimes against women, including incidents of rape and murder, were on the rise under the BJP government in Odisha said that the recent gang rape of the tourist is shameful. She said, 'In response, members of the Odisha Mahila Congress staged a protest and gheraoed the Vidhan Sabha to raise their concerns. A formal letter was also submitted to the Chief Minister, highlighting the deteriorating safety of women in the state. Following the protest outside the Vidhan Sabha, several Congress leaders were suspended from the Assembly,' she said. UNI RBE GNK
Hans India
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Raja festival begins in Odisha
Bhubaneswar: President Droupadi Murmu, Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik on Saturday greeted the people of Odisha as the three-day Raja festival began across the State. The State welcomes the Raja festival every year as a mark of respect for womanhood, fertility and the rhythms of Mother Earth. This time, the festival, reflecting deep-rooted traditions and cultural pride, will be observed from June 14 to 16. President Murmu posted on X: 'I am wishing my dear countrymen heartily on the occasion of Raja festival. On the arrival of rainy season, honouring Mother Earth this agrarian festival is observed by eating sweets, playing swings, kabaddi and betel and sweet drinks. This festival is celebrated for three days in Odisha. From this, we should take inspiration from walking in harmony with nature.' She also said, 'On the occasion of Raja festival, I wish happiness and prosperity for the State and the countrymen.' The X handle of Governor Odisha said: 'On the occasion of Krishivithik Gana Parv # Raja the Hon'ble Governor Shri @DrHariBabuK has extended his greetings and best wishes and wished that the eternal spirit of this festival may be felt by all. #RajaParba.' Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who hails from Keonjhar district, where Raja is a major festival, also wished the people of the State. 'Greetings and best wishes to everyone on the auspicious occasion of Gana Parva, a unique tradition of honouring tradition, nature, motherhood and womanhood. May this festival bring joy and happiness to everyone's lives.#Raja #PahiliRaja,' he said. Former chief minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik also congratulated the people on the occasion and said: 'Heartiest greetings to everyone on the occasion of Odisha's mass festival, Raja. May this unique tradition of paying homage to the land and mother fill everyone's lives with joy and happiness. #RajaParba.' The nomenclature of thefestival 'Raja' is rooted in the Sanskrit word 'Rajaswala' (meaning menstruation). Raja marks a symbolic period when Mother Earth is believed to rest and rejuvenate, like women during their menstrual cycle, said Asit Mohanty, a researcher in Odia culture. He said the festival also witnesses the beginning of cultivation works which comes coinciding with the onset of the monsoon month 'Asadha'. During the festival, young girls and women rejoice by wearing new clothes, applying henna and alta, playing traditional games, enjoying swings called - 'Raja Doli', and eating festive foods, mostly handmade cakes. Special sweets like Poda Pitha, Arisha, Kakara and others are prepared at houses and offered toguests, Mohanty said.
