Bhubaneswar: In a significant initiative to promote the rich cultural heritage of Odisha beyond the State, the Odia Language, Literature, and Culture Department will organize Odisha Utsav in Kolkata for the first time. The event will be held on March 8, 2026, at the auditorium of the National Library in Kolkata.
The festival will be inaugurated by Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj. On this occasion, Odia writers based in West Bengal and various organizations of the Odia diaspora will also be felicitated.
Odisha Utsav will present a vibrant showcase of Odisha’s folk arts, rich heritage, and traditions, along with traditional cuisine, handloom, and handicraft products. Artists from Odisha will perform a variety of cultural programs, including Odissi, Sahi Jata, Chhau, Ghumura, Dhemsa, Pashumukha dance, and Sambalpuri dance.
Speaking about the festival, Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said Odisha is a land of art and culture, and promoting its rich cultural heritage to a wider audience is a key objective. Keeping this in mind, the Odia Language, Literature, and Culture Department is organizing Odisha Utsav for the first time.
He further stated that the festival will provide an excellent platform for cultural exchange among the Odia diaspora and will help reconnect people with Odia cultural values, traditions, and glorious heritage. The event is also expected to play an important role in the broader promotion and dissemination of Odisha’s cultural legacy.
