For the first time, the Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja Odia Chair at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) will organize a two-day conclave on Odisha’s rich cultural heritage. Scheduled for April 1-2, 2025, the event commemorates Odisha Foundation Day and is titled “Know Odia, Know Odisha: A Window to Odisha’s Heritage.”
A post from the conclave’s official account on X announced, “Celebrating Odisha Foundation Day! The Odia Chair at BHU is hosting a conclave, ‘Know Odia, Know Odisha – A Window to Odisha Heritage,’ on April 1-2, 2025. Eminent voices from Odia literature, culture, music, cinema, and the arts will share their insights. Join us in celebrating the Odia essence.”
The Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja Odia Chair was established at BHU by the Government of Odisha to support teaching and research in Odia language, literature, and cultural studies. It seeks to build academic collaborations with institutions specializing in Odia studies, introduce the language and its literary traditions to non-Odia speakers, and promote research in Odisha’s rich cultural legacy.
The conclave will feature discussions on Jagannath culture and serve as a platform for intellectual and artistic exchange. Scholars and cultural figures, including Monarma Biswal Mohapatra, Sangita Gosain, Surya Deo, and Gurukalyan Mohapatra, will lead sessions on various aspects of Odisha’s heritage. The event will also showcase Odissi and Sambalpuri dance performances, celebrating the state’s vibrant artistic traditions.
