Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has announced a 14-day ‘Odia Pakhya’ celebration from April 1 (Odisha Day, or Odisha Dibasa) to April 14 (Odia New Year and Maha Vishuba Sankranti) to promote Odia identity, covering language, culture, and heritage.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Odia Language, Literature & Culture Suryabanshi Suraj in a press conference held on Sunday.
This 14-day celebration aims to promote the Odia language, literature, culture, and heritage through various programs across the state, from the block level to the state level. The festival will showcase Odia culture through traditional attire and cuisine. The government has planned a special initiative, “Ama Ruchi, Ama Khadya” (Food Festival focusing on Odia Cuisine) and “Ama Poshak, Ama Parichaya” (Traditional Attire Day) to highlight traditional Odia food and attire, respectively.
Similarly, to promote the Odia language and literature, ‘Barnabodha Utsav’ will be organized, focusing on the famous ‘Barnabodha’ text. Another initiative, “Asa Bahitiye Kiniba” (Let’s Buy a Book), will encourage book reading and purchases, fostering a literary culture in the state. Senior folk artists will be felicitated for their contributions to Odia art and culture. A special youth writers’ conference will be held to encourage young literary talents.
During this 14-day long celebration, Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj stated, “For the first time, Odia Pakhya will be celebrated in a grand manner across Odisha. This initiative is a testament to our unwavering commitment to promoting our rich cultural heritage. Odisha is home to a glorious legacy of language, art, literature, and traditions that have flourished for centuries. Through various programs, we aim to instill a sense of pride among the people of Odisha. Odia Pakhya is not just a festival but a movement to strengthen our cultural roots and ensure that the vibrancy of our traditions remains intact. The state government is dedicated to creating platforms that celebrate and showcase Odisha’s artistic brilliance on a grand scale, making this celebration a landmark event in our cultural calendar.”
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the celebrations:
April 1: On the occasion of the formation of Odisha as a separate linguistic state, Odisha Day will be celebrated at the state, district, and sub-division levels. This event will be organized by the Information and Public Relations Department.
April 2: For the enrollment of children in primary schools across the state, the School and Mass Education Department, along with the Women and Child Development Department, will organize the “Khadi Chhuan” and “Pravesh Utsav” programs.
April 3: To promote traditional Odia attire and the rich heritage of Odisha’s handloom and weaving industry, the Handlooms, Textiles, and Handicrafts Department will organize the “Ama Poshak, Ama Parichaya” (Traditional Attire Day) program.
April 4: To encourage the use of Odia nameplates in shops and markets across the state, the Labour and State Employees’ Insurance Department will organize a campaign.
April 5: The Sports and Youth Services Department will organize a marathon to highlight Odisha’s sporting spirit.
April 6: A cleanliness drive will be undertaken at temples and heritage sites. This initiative will be jointly organized by the Odia Language, Literature, and Culture Department, the Tourism Department, the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department, and the Housing and Urban Development Department.
April 7: This day will be celebrated as “Barnabodha Utsav” to commemorate the contribution of Bhaktakabi Madhusudan Rao, whose book “Barnabodha” serves as the foundation for learning the Odia language. The event will be organized by the Odia Language, Literature, and Culture Department.
April 8: A blood donation camp will be organized by the Red Cross Society, the Health and Family Welfare Department, and the Higher Education Department.
April 9: To promote Odia literature and reading habits, this day will be observed as “Asa Bahi Kiniba” (Let’s Buy a Book) Day. This will be organized by the Odia Language, Literature, and Culture Department and the Higher Education Department.
April 10: “A Day for Folk Art” will be observed to honor senior artists. This will be organized by the Odia Language, Literature, and Culture Department and the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department.
April 11: The Odisha Sahitya Akademi, in collaboration with the Higher Education, Sports, and Youth Services Department, will organize a Young Writers’ Conference to encourage budding Odia writers.
April 12: The Odisha Sahitya Akademi and the district administration will organize a program and discussions on eminent personalities of Odisha who have made remarkable contributions to the state.
April 13: Odisha’s culinary heritage is an integral part of its culture. To celebrate this, “Ama Ruchi, Ama Khadya” (Food Festival focusing on traditional Odia cuisine) will be organized under the aegis of the Panchayati Raj and Urban Development Department.
April 14: The Odia New Year will be celebrated with grand festivities across the state.
In addition to ensuring the successful celebration of ‘Odia Pakhya,’ Minister Suryabanshi Suraj also chaired a preparatory meeting. The session was attended by secretaries from various departments and district collectors, who participated through virtual channels.
During the meeting, Minister Suraj emphasized the importance of conducting the celebration with grandeur and ensuring maximum public participation. He instructed the secretaries and district collectors to work collaboratively to guarantee the smooth execution of the event across all programs.
This detailed plan aims to bring the people of Odisha together to celebrate the state’s rich cultural heritage.
