A festival of indigenous people of Koraput is being organized by District Council of Culture, Koraput since 1996. It is a leading festival of the State and unique of its kind aiming at spotting out hidden talents in the field of art, culture and sports at grass-root level and to promote the rich cultural heritage of this region.

In a month-long festival more than 50,000 artists and sportspersons participate in G.P.level, Block/ULB level and
subsequently at District level competitions. Various cultural programmes like Craft Mela, Boat Race, Artist Camp-cum-Art Exhibition, Seminar, Natyotsav, Book-Fair and Kabi Sammelan etc are also organized. In fact PARAB is not a simple festival but a project participated by different walks of people. It is a forum of interaction and exchange among different kinds of tribal culture from all over the district. It is a mega festival where every item is a festival.

PARAB also aims at the preservation of rich cultural heritage and indigenous identity of the tribal which was never given due exposure and recognition, was adequately highlighted. Competitions and programmes in traditional events of music, tribal dances, folk dances, songs, etc helped in the preservation of tribal cultural heritage of this region.It is a project to promote and protect rich traditional art, crafts and culture of this vast region. The great sensation and competitive spirit developed in the rural areas through PARAB helped in conducting cultural activities in their environment and also preserving their art and crafts milieu so as to ensure the continuity to the traditions of tribal art and crafts.

Koraput district in Odisha is feast for the eyes and cradled in nature’s bounty. The awe inspring sights make Koraput a Travellers’ delight. Nature speaks a variety of languages which the lover of nature translates into joy. The breath taking scenery brings heaven to earth. The virgin nature with untouched and unexplored tribals and their rich cultural heritage provide tourists a lot to enjoy and feel, places to visit and things to do. The broad panorama of enchanting hills, the rippling streams, spectacular waterfalls, the wonderful caves, lush green valleys, the salubrious climate with fresh air on one hand, and simplicity and traditional hospitality of the tribes, their colourful and natural gesture on the other hand make Koraput a different world- a world that beckons one to come again and again to get peace, tranquility and joy for ever.

Koraput region, being the mosaic of tribal life and culture and heritage of the Country, specific emphasis is being given to highlight the cultural heritage through PARAB, the Annual Festival of Koraput District and to establish it as National Festival of indigenous people and festival of tribals aiming to attract large number of tourists both domestic and foreign. With the above objectives PARAB is being organized by District Council of Culture, Koraput during the month of October-November.

A part from Sports and Cultural events, we also organize Quiz, Essay and Debate competitions among the High School students, competitions among the physically disabled persons and students of NCLP schools. Besides, we also organize Craft Mela, Artist Camp, Seminar, Book-Fair, Mountain Trekking on Deomali Hill Rance, the highest mountain peak of Odisha, Natyotsav, etc to make PARAB a great occasion.

PARAB, a festival of District Council of Culture, Koraput is not mere a programme for the search of hidden talents in the rural areas in the field of art, culture and crafts but it is a project to promote and protect rich traditional art, crafts and culture of this vast region. The great sensation and competitive spirit developed in the rural areas through PARAB helped in conducting cultural activities in their environment and also preserving their art and crafts milieu so as to ensure the continuity to the traditions of tribal art and crafts.

In PARAB, the conduct of competitions in traditional tribal events like tribal music, dance, art and crafts, traditional sports, etc. help in the conservation and development of rich artistic and cultural traditions and heritage against the threat of extinction because of rapid industrialization, urbanization, modernization and cultural invasion.

This month-long festival from G.P.level to District level involves thousands of talented artists and sportspersons. This mega cultural event of the Council, with such noble objectives, is a unique in the State of Odisha may in the Country. It is a challenging task for the Organisers and the District Administration. Help, co-operation, suggestions and guidance from all corners are invited.

PARAB started in such an auspicious moment that it not only became most popular festival of the district but also one of the main festival of the State. It really brought a cultural movement in the State. Following PARAB many districts started celebrating festivals in a competitive manner. Many districts like Balangir, Bargarh, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur referred our Project Report for orgnisation of such festivals. Besides many other districts started celebrating festivals like Sambalpur Folk Dance Festival, Puri Sahi Jatra, Ganjam-Surabhi, Malkangiri-Malyabanta Mahotsav. Before PARAB activities were concentrated in coastal districts of Puri, Cuttack. Now it is more widespread the rich fold and traditional art and culture of different regions particularly in the fold and tribal art and culture of Odisha was given much focus.

PARAB is mother of all district festivals. Every year PARAB is expanding its arm large. Addition of new items, made PARAB more massive, colourful but it becomes hard task for organization and bear financial burden.