From the valleys of Koraput to the cultural platforms of London, a group of Odia women are showing that distance cannot separate people from their roots. Through rhythm, movement and emotion, Labanglata – bringing the feeling of dancevibes Odisha To audiences thousands of miles away from home. What started about two years ago with six friends who shared a passion for dance has grown into a group of fourteen members. Neither had any previous stage experience, and performing in front of large audiences seemed impossible at one time. But through regular practice, friendship and memories of home, the dream of performing together and celebrating their identity as Odias abroad gradually took shape. At the center 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 – known for economic challenges but rich in traditions and community values. At the age of ten, he left home to study at a boarding school, beginning a journey that eventually took him across continents. He completed his +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 about nine years ago. Today, Sabita works in sales and pre-sales at an enterprise architecture company, where she has been for the last seven years. Despite professional life, dance has always been close to his heart. “DhemsaThe soul of Koraput, for me, is not just a dance. It is part of my home and identity,” says Sabita. “It helps me express emotions – happiness, memories and even longing for home.” While living in the UK, she met other Odia women who had the same love for culture and dance. What started as informal gatherings among friends soon turned into a collective effort to celebrate the traditions of Odisha abroad. That collective became Labangalata – DanceVibes. His first major stage appearance took place in the United Kingdom during the Bali Yatra 2025 celebrations, which was inspired by the historic maritime festival of Odisha. For the group, it was more than a performance; It was a moment of courage and pride – the first time their shared dream came to life on stage. The audience response was overwhelming and the group soon gained recognition within the Odia community in the UK. Since then, she has performed at several cultural events, including Utkal Day celebrations, Diwali celebrations at Trafalgar Square in London, Durga Puja cultural events, India’s Independence Day celebrations organized by the Indian High Commission, and Bali Yatra 2026 celebrations. Through these performances, the group has entertained audiences while strengthening the cultural identity of the Odia diaspora living away from home. The strength of the group lies in the diversity of its members. Along with Sabita Pradhan, the group includes Swagatika Tripathi, Punyatoya Panda, Susmita Kumari, Smriti Das, Soumya Tripathi and Durgesh Das, each of whom is contributing their creativity and dedication. The group also includes male artistes Minaketan Panda, Sitansu Sahu, Surjeet Panda, Aditya Mishra, Neelkant Dwivedi and Dilip Malik – all senior IT professionals who dedicate their time and energy to the performance. Together, they convey a simple message: culture survives when people keep it alive in their hearts, no matter where they live. For Sabita and her fellow dancers, the dance group is a reminder of home and a tribute to the traditions of Odisha. The group also thanks Surjeet 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 keeps them motivated. As it continues to perform across the UK, every step on the stage echoes the rivers, hills and festivals of Odisha, ensuring that the cultural spirit of their homeland reaches far beyond its borders.