From the valleys of Koraput to the cultural stages of London, a group of Odia women is showing that distance cannot separate people from their roots. Through rhythm, movement and emotion, Labangalata – NrutyaVibes is bringing the spirit of Odisha to audiences thousands of miles away from home. What began nearly two years ago with six friends sharing a passion for dance has grown into a collective of fourteen members. None had previous stage experience, and performing before large audiences once felt impossible. But through regular practice, friendship and memories of home, a dream slowly formed to perform together and celebrate their identity as Odias abroad. At the centre of this journey is Sabita Pradhan, whose life reflects determination and cultural pride. Born in Machkund in Koraput district, a region known for its natural beauty and the famous Duduma Waterfalls, she grew up in the KBK region — Kalahandi, Bolangir and Koraput — areas known for economic challenges but rich in traditions and community values. At the age of ten, she left home to study at a boarding school, beginning a journey that would eventually take her across continents. She completed her +2 education at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Koraput, before studying engineering in Electronics and Instrumentation at GIET, Gunupur. After working in Hyderabad, she moved to the United Kingdom nearly nine years ago. Today, Sabita works in sales and pre-sales at an enterprise architecture company, where she has been for the past seven years. Despite her professional life, dance has always remained close to her heart. “Dhemsa, the soul of Koraput, is not just a dance for me. It is part of my home and identity,” Sabita says. “It helps me express emotions — happiness, memories and even longing for home.” While living in the UK, she met other Odia women who shared the same love for culture and dance. What started as informal gatherings among friends soon grew into a collective effort to celebrate Odisha’s traditions abroad. That collective became Labangalata – NrutyaVibes. Their first major stage appearance came during Bali Jatra 2025 celebrations in the United Kingdom, inspired by Odisha’s historic maritime festival. For the group, it was more than a performance; it was a moment of courage and pride — the first time their shared dream came alive on stage. The response from the audience was overwhelming, and the group soon gained recognition within the Odia community in the UK. Since then, they have performed at several cultural events, including Utkal Diwas celebrations, Diwali celebrations at Trafalgar Square in London, Durga Puja cultural events, India’s Independence Day celebrations hosted by the High Commission of India, and Bali Jatra 2026 celebrations. Through these performances, the group has entertained audiences while strengthening the cultural identity of the Odia diaspora living far from home. The strength of the group lies in the diversity of its members. Along with Sabita Pradhan, the group includes Swagatika Tripathy, Punyatoya Panda, Susmita Kumari, Smruti Dash, Soumya Tripathy and Durgesh Dash, each contributing their creativity and dedication. The collective also includes male performers Minaketan Panda, Sitansu Sahoo, Surjit Panda, Aditya Mishra, Neelkant Dwibedi and Dilip Mallick – all senior IT professionals who devote their time and energy to the performances. Together, they carry a simple message: culture survives when people keep it alive in their hearts, wherever they live. For Sabita and her fellow dancers, the dance group is a reminder of home and a tribute to Odisha’s traditions. The group also thanks Surjit Panda, who manages their Instagram page, labangalata_nrutyavibes, and captures their performances as a photographer. They also acknowledge the support of their families and audiences, whose encouragement continues to inspire them. As it continues to perform across the UK, each step on stage carries echoes of Odisha’s rivers, hills and festivals, ensuring that the cultural spirit of their homeland travels far beyond its borders.
