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Odia Culture Unveiled at BHU Conclave
2 Apr
Summary
- BHU hosted a conclave celebrating Odia cultural heritage.
- Discussions focused on Odia language, theatre, and dance.
- Experts highlighted Odisha's rich literary and artistic traditions.
The second 'Know Odia, Know Odisha' conclave, organized by the Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja Odia Chair, recently took place at Banaras Hindu University. This event, coinciding with Odisha's Foundation Day, aimed to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Odisha.
University officials, including Vice-Chancellor Prof Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi, stressed the significance of Odia as a classical language and advocated for academic and research programs dedicated to its study. They highlighted the need to promote Odia literature and encourage student engagement with the language and culture.
Key sessions featured discussions on Odia theatre's evolution and contemporary possibilities, with an expert lecture on its historical development and institutionalization. Another highlight was Padma Shri awardee Ileana Citaristi's discourse on "Odissi and the Gita Govinda," exploring the deep cultural connections and artistic traditions stemming from Jayadeva's epic poem and the Jagannatha Temple.
The conclave also touched upon Odisha's textile traditions and culinary culture. Day one concluded with a performance of Gotipua dance, offering a glimpse into traditional Odia performing arts. Future sessions were planned to cover topics like the Pata textile tradition and gender in development discourse.
