Konark women battle it out in crying competition

Konark (Orissa), June 17 (ANI): A cultural organization 'Arkashree' organized a crying competition in Orissa's Konark town on Wednesday, which saw the participation of over 20 women, battling it out crying and moaning.

The participants recited poems recalling their 'Vidaai' (a ritual where a bride bids a tearful farewell to her family) in full tears.

The organizers said the competition was organized to keep the ritual of crying alive in the minds of young girls getting ready for marriage.

"This is a very old ritual, where a girl cries when she leaves her family after marriage. When a girl cries while leaving her parent's home, she expresses herself by reciting a poem," said Rabindra Bahinipati, a member of Arkashree

"That ritual has disappeared, so we have organized this competition to revive the ritual," he added.

The participants claimed the girls nowadays have forgotten the ritual of crying during the 'Vidaai'.

Taramani Biswal, a participant at the competition, said that they used to have a book from which girls used to learn crying.

"In our time, we had a book from which we used to learn crying and we use to cry holding our parents, brothers and sisters. The competition is amusing, but at least young girls can learn the art of crying properly," said Biswal. (ANI)