In a major effort to promote Odisha’s rich cultural heritage beyond the state, the Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department will organise ‘Odisha Utsav’ in Kolkata for the first time on March 8. The cultural festival will be held at the auditorium of the National Library in Kolkata and is expected to bring together members of the Odia diaspora and cultural enthusiasts from across the city.
The festival will be inaugurated by Odisha Culture Minister Shri Suryabanshi Suraj. During the event, Odia writers based in West Bengal as well as several organisations representing the Odia diaspora will be felicitated for their contributions to literature and cultural promotion.
The Odisha Utsav will showcase the state’s vibrant folk traditions, heritage and artistic legacy. Artists from Odisha will present a series of cultural performances including Odissi, Sahi Jata, Chhau, Ghumura, Dhemsa, Pashumukha dance and Sambalpuri dance. Visitors will also get an opportunity to explore traditional Odia cuisine along with handloom and handicraft products reflecting the state’s rich artistic traditions.
Speaking about the initiative, Culture Minister Shri Suryabanshi Suraj said Odisha is a land of art and culture and promoting its cultural heritage to a wider audience remains a key priority. He noted that organising Odisha Utsav outside the state will help introduce Odisha’s traditions to a broader audience.
In Kolkata, the festival is expected to attract strong interest among the city’s large Odia community as well as cultural enthusiasts, creating opportunities for artisans, handloom producers and traditional food vendors to showcase Odisha’s heritage in one of eastern India’s key cultural hubs.