It all started in 1903 and took 33 years to finally get Odisha recognised as a separate province. No one can forget the endless struggle of eminent persons like Utkala Gouraba Madhusudan Das, Utkala Mani Gopabandhu Das, Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati, Pandita Nilakantha Das, Fakir Mohan Senapati, Gangadhar Meher, Basudeba Sudhaladeba, Radhanath Ray, Bhubanananda Das and AP Patro, along with thousands of others, for the cause. On April 1, 1936, Odia-speaking people got their own province.
Eighty-three years since then, Odisha has emerged as one of the jewels in India’s ever shining crown. Needless to say, Utkal Divas or Odisha Divas holds as much significance in the state as Independence Day. As the state gets ready to celebrate the big day, there are many who will be celebrating the occasion outside the state and the country.
It is said that you can take an Odia out of Odisha but not Odisha out of an Odia. Sunday POST catches up with a few people who live far from Odisha but enthusiastically celebrate Utkal Divas.
Bijay Mohanty, a member of the Odisha Society of the Americas’ (OSA), says, “You may stay far away from your motherland, but you can never forget her. You can never disown your roots, the language, the culture and everything associated with that place. Unlike in Odisha, April 1 isn’t a holiday here, so we celebrate on the first Saturday of the month. There are a lot of Odias here and we all come together to celebrate the day. We also invite people from other communities so that they get a taste of our culture and tradition.”
The organisation also keeps track of newly arrived Odias in the US and invites them to join the festivities. “We connect through social media. This year we will be sending them e-invitations. So far, more than 500 people have confirmed participation,” informs Bijay.
OSA has elaborate plans to make the celebrations a grand affair. “This year, children will perform Odissi and Sambalpuri dances, while adults will perform our Odia anthem. We will also be organising a food festival. The members will rustle up traditional Odia dishes, which will be available at the different food stalls set up for the occasion. The sale proceeds will go for charity in Odisha. We have also invited the mayor of our town to be part of the celebrations,” adds Bijay.
Sujit Mahapatra, who has been residing in the US since 2004, says, “There is quite a big Odia population here. OSA celebrates Utkal Divas with much hype and hoopla. From organising cultural events to arranging traditional Odia food, the venue turns into mini Odisha on that day. We get to savour some traditional dishes like pakhala, which comes with a range of accompaniments, pitha and other delicacies. I make sure to attend the event every year with my family. It feels like you are in Odisha.”
Utkal Divas celebrations are elaborate in Dubai too. Subhashree Das, a resident of Dubai, eagerly waits for this day every year. “It’s a day we celebrate with pride. There are a large number of Odias in Dubai and we all come together to celebrate. It is not only about celebration. The gathering brings back memories about our days in Odisha. Odisha Samaj UAE (OSUAE), which organises a grand event on the day, coordinates with all the Odias residing in Dubai,” she says.
“Last year, a prominent dance institute from Odisha joined hands with OSUAE and the Consulate-General of India, Dubai, and Lasyakala to celebrate Utkal Divas. Entry was free for all.
Children and adults put up a wide range of performances. Last year, renowned Odissi dancer Saswat performed with his 12-member troupe. Besides, Padmashri Dr Ileana Citaristi and Odia actress Anubha Sourya also graced the event,” adds Subhashree.
Satyabrata Tripathy, better known as Kuna Tripathy, who has performed on Utkal Divas at different international venues, says, “There can be nothing better than celebrating Utkal Divas with the Odia community. It is a day when every Odia feels proud of his state and its culture and traditions. I hope there will be more such celebrations outside the country in the days to come.”
Within India, Utkal Divas is celebrated with fervour by Odias in many states. One of the most prominent celebrations is organised by Odias at the Kolkata Welfare Association (OAK). The organisation came into existence in 1908 in Kolkata and was initially known as Kalikata Utkaliya Samaj, with Padmalochan Mohanty as its president and Krishna Mohan Pattnaik as secretary. Kalikata Utkaliya Samaj used to publish a newsweekly Odiya.
That was, however, more than a century ago. “In 2014, Pradeep Kumar Mohapatra invited a group of 30 odd Odias to join a Bandhu Milan on August 23, 2014 at the Jagannath Temple in Kidderpore, Kolkata. The same evening, a community organisation, Odias at Kolkata Welfare Association (OAK), was formed. Today, OAK boasts more than 400 members and celebrates Utkal Divas every year besides organising other events throughout the year,” says Siddharth Roy, one of the active members of OAK.
The organisation has been organising Bandhu Milan regularly, with active participation from non-resident Odias. “We organise a lot of events like Bhajan Sandhya, OAK birthday on August 23, Chadakhai luncheon, annual sports, picnics, and cooking competitions for women apart from regular charity events. However, Utkal Divas, which we call Vande Utkal Janani, is being celebrated since 2015 and is the grandest of all. Over the years, the event has been graced by prominent personalities like Pranab Patnaik, singer Tansen Singh, and young talents like Sohini Mishra, Bishnu Mohan Kabi and Ashima Panda,” says Siddharth.
OAK primarily celebrates Utkal Divas with the aim of showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Odisha. “We had invited Shri Pabitra Kumar Mohapatra and his troupe from Berhampore to perform at Utkal Divas. Ranapa, an ancient and intricate art, was showcased by them. Also, Paika war dancers from Khurda, hasya kabis from Bhubaneswar and Chhau dancers from Mayurbhanj have performed at Utkal Divas. Last year’s attraction was Rituraj Mohanty, who enthralled the audience with his mellifluous voice,” says Siddharth.
Prasanta Kumar Bhunya, who stays in Toronto, says that a large number of Odias live in Canada, who come together to celebrate Utkal Divas every year. “It is a grand affair and a day when every Odia feels proud to be a part of that state. This year won’t be any different,” he says.
SOYONG, OP