Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, May 7, 2015 :

The Odisha Tourism Department on Thursday released  online  “Divine Rebirth”, a Sand Art Animation Film on Nabakalebara by internationally acclaimed sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik. The short film will also be available on DVDs.

“The film depicts the rituals associated with Nabakalebara, starting from the Banajaga Yatra (search for neem trees by Daitapati servitors of Puri temple) to Ghata Paribartan (transferring the soul to the new idols),” Sudarsan told “Bizodisha.com”.

The aim of this short film, first sand art animation film on Lord Jagannath, is to enlighten the masses about Nabakalebara, which occurs every twelve to nineteen years when there are two months (joda masa) of Ashadha as per the Hindu calendar. The idols are made from a special type of neem wood known as Daru Bramha. Since Jagannath’s Nabakalebara is mostly a secret ritual, which cannot be shot on camera, Sudarshan has used 5 kilos of holy sand from the Puri beach, wonderfully visualizing the concept through sand animation and telling the entire story in seven minutes.

“Odisha Tourism is proud to be associated with Sudarsan Pattnaik. This film will be showcased across the globe,” tourism secretary Arvind Padhee said.

This short film is co-produced by “Prelude”- a media and entertainment company. “I feel honored to be part of something so sacred and to be able to convey what this festival is all about artistically,” said Sanu Ratho, director of ‘Prelude’ and a renowned anchor of Odisha, who also lent the background voice for the film.

The sand art animation film was today launched at Bhubaneswar in the presence of Tourism and Culture Minister Ashok Chandra Panda, Chief Secretary Gokul Chandra Pati, Development Commissioner Upendra Nath Behera and Additional Chief Secretary to Chief Minister, Aditya Prasad Padhi.