Amitabh Bachchan offers to promote Odisha

After seeking blessings at several shrines in the country, super star Amitabh Bachchan and wife Jaya today visited Shri Jagannath Temple in Puri, and offered prayers at the 12th century shrine.

While addressing a function here marking inauguration of Vrindaban Gurukul developed by flute maestro Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Big B said since he married a woman from the neighbouring West Bengal and enjoyed status of 'Jamai Babu' there, the people of Odisha should accept him as 'Jamairaja'.

"I cannot call myself 'Jamairaja' of the state. But in the adjoining state I am the 'Jamai Babu'. Therefore, please do consider me as your 'Jamairaja'," Bachchan said to the laughter from the audience.

"If ever there is any occasion you require my service as 'Jamairaja', I commit myself to do it, today," he said.

Brindavan Gurukul is dedicated to the teaching and promotion of performing arts of the world (music and dance particularly), yoga, and meditation techniques, in a serene atmosphere, along the ancient Indian "gurukul" principles.

It was established in 1996 by Pandit Hari Prasad and Dr. Shyamala Rajender, for promoting, presenting and teaching Indian classical music, Indian-Western integrated music, along with meditation techniques, yoga, and music theory.

Focus will be on gifted or talented children and youth, especially underprivileged and needy children. Pandit Chaurasia's mission is world peace, love and harmony through music, meditation and relaxation.