Three-day long ‘Biswa Odia Bhasha Sammilani’ (World Odia Language Conference) was inaugurated Saturday by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar.
The conference was inaugurated with the singing of ‘Bande Utkala Janani’, the state anthem of Odisha.
Inaugurating first ever ‘World Odia Language Conference’, Naveen said, “Odia is our language and identity. Language is unifying factor for a race.”
In this article, we will take you to the extravaganza of Odia Bhasha Sammilani and make you indulge into the ocean deep legacy of Odisha- The state.
The main goal of the First World Odia Language Conference is to give priority to the propagation, dissemination and research of the Odia language. This conference has been organized with the aim of creating awareness among the Odia youth living in the state and outside the country. Language is a connecting bridge of tradition and progress, the main way of connecting development.
The origin of the glorious history of Odisha is Odia, the language of this state. As a classical language, Odia is the pride of every Odias. This Odia language is our historical past existence and solar future. The 1st World Odia Language Conference is the most glorious chapter of life for every Odia.
Historically, the first World Odisha Language Conference organized in Odisha can present the triumph of this language in front of everyone. This extraordinary step of the state government is a milestone to comprehensively prepare the evolution of Odisha language, the origin of literature and its significant contribution in the development of Odisha as a state from ancient times till today.
In this global conference which was held for three days marking its last day today, detailed information about Odia language, literature and heritage in 3 exhibition rooms. All information related to ancient, medieval and advent of printing press are displayed here. In addition, the main attraction of the conference is the conference hall built in the name of 5 legendary sons of Odisha. The first room is named after the poet Sarala Das, the second room is named after Jagannath Das, the third room is named after the poet Samrat Upendra Bhanj, the fourth room is named after the poet Fakir mohan Senapati, the fifth room is named after the legend Gangadhar Meher.
Various interesting cultural programs were also performed by renowned artists with a three-day program has been organized for university, college and school students.
Special attraction: Exhibition hall
Ancient times
The development of Odia language, script and literature began in ancient times. Ashoka’s stone inscription, India’s first written script, is displayed in this room. The original form of Odia script found in stone caves in ancient times is placed in this exhibition room. An inscription from Toshali, the capital of Ashoka’s empire, is displayed here. Some artefacts collected from the prehistoric era are also placed here. The symbolic language used in ancient times can also be seen in the weapons they used.
Medieval
Medieval coins are first displayed here in this room. Coins tell us about the king who ruled in Odisha. Also the brave queens who ruled in Odisha are shown through coins. On the other hand, many proud sons of the land are also accommodated in this room. Sarala Devi, Rama Devi, Malati Chaudhuri, Shobhavati Panda, Kaipada Kalamatia shooting, Odisha’s quit India movement, Iram shooting etc. can be seen in connection.
On the other hand, Odisha’s prosperous business relationship has also been shown. Utkaliya Naubanizya, Naubanizya Path, Traditional Ship Building Style, Excavated Naval Site, Manikpatna, Puri, Radhanagar, Jajpur, Tamralipti Ancient Port are also listed. Along with this, the rich history of the tribe is also given place in it. Their way of life, agricultural practices, storage systems of agricultural products, their customs, climate resilient agricultural systems etc.
The advent of the printing press
With the efforts of Odisha Music Drama Academy, a musical tree has been prepared in this room with musical instruments. In this musical tree more than 100 musical instruments collected from various places in Odisha have been placed. Mridanga, Sanchar Mridanga, Sampradaya Mridanga, Nadia Mridanga, Pala Mridanga, Mardal etc are placed. Also, detailed information about the arrival of the print press can be found here. While various ancient printing machines are kept here, various cameras, lights, cinema posters, etc., which have been used in the making of Odisha cinema since 1936, are displayed. Various newspapers have played a significant role in popularizing the language of Odisha are also displayed in this room. The first printed book in the Odia language, Gopbandhu Das’s manuscript, the first Oriya newspaper, Charles Room’s details, advertisements, guidelines are included.
Apart from this, book display, half-carved elephants out of dust, corner stone work, floating beads and holograms, robot-related displays etc. are displayed in the conference room.
Five conference rooms have been named after the five sons of Odisha who contributed immortally to the development of Odisha language and literature.
Notably, in February 2014, the Centre had notified Odia as the sixth Indian classical language after Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada, Sanskrit and Tamil.
