Odia Asmita: Towards a Cultural Renaissance

The celebration of Odisha Divas on April 1 is a reminder of a historic struggle that led to the creation of India's first linguistic state in 1936. This was not merely an administrative victory but a cultural assertion, affirming the identity of Odias who had long been fragmented under British rule. Yet, nearly nine decades later, the Odia language and culture are at a crossroads, struggling to retain relevance in an era dominated by globalisation, English education, and homogenised pop culture. While the state government's recent initiatives, such as the 15-day Odia Pakhya, aim to rekindle pride in Odia heritage, the question remains whether these can reverse the erosion of Odia Asmita or are temporary fixes to a deep-rooted crisis.

The Odia Pakhya celebrations include a series of well-intentioned programs. These activities help raise awareness about Odia culture, but critics highlight a valid concern: can sporadic celebrations truly revive a language and culture that are steadily losing ground in daily life?

One of the most alarming signs of cultural erosion is the diminishing presence of Odia in education. While proficiency in English is important, the neglect of Odia in early education has led to a generation that can barely read or write its own language fluently. Even more concerning is the lack of serious academic engagement with Odia literature and linguistics within Odisha's own universities. Institutions like Utkal University and the newly established Odia University were envisioned as centres of Odia scholarship, yet their contributions pale in comparison to the work being done outside the state, such as at Visva-Bharati in Santiniketan or the Orissa Research Project of Heidelberg University in Germany.

The government's role should extend beyond organising festivals. Policy interventions are needed to ensure Odia remains a living language, not just a ceremonial one. The state must incentivise Odia-medium education, improve curriculum quality, and ensure students do not see their mother tongue as a handicap in professional life. Universities must be pushed to undertake serious research in Odia linguistics, folklore, and classical literature, with grants and fellowships made available for scholars working on Odia heritage. Cultural integration in mass media is equally crucial—Odia cinema, music, and television must move beyond repetitive themes and embrace contemporary storytelling while retaining cultural roots.

While the government must lead the way, the revival of Odia Asmita cannot be a top-down effort alone. Families must take pride in speaking Odia at home and the youth must be encouraged to engage with their heritage rather than viewing it as outdated The time has come to move beyond symbolic gestures and build a concrete roadmap for preserving Odisha's linguistic and cultural legacy for future generations. Only then can we truly honour the spirit of Odisha Divas.