Jagannath is the confluence of Odisha’s lexicon, literature and culture, said president of Odisha Sahitya Akademi Prof Harihar Mishra.

Mishra said that the lexicon, literature and culture are soul of a civilization and the lifestyle of it as well.  He requested the writers to heed a culture that relates to both old folks and present aristocracy following a growing modernity in the society.  By doing so, the writers can surely help the gen-x recall their past, he said.

Mishra on Thursday addressed a debate on ‘Odisha’s folk culture and Jagannath’ here as chief guest, sponsored  by the Sri Gundicha Spiritual Trust. 

Joining as chief speaker, former president of Odia Bhasa Pratistan Prof Haraprasad Mishra said,  “The Jagannath culture is not only confined to Odisha; it is widespread.” He described Lord Jagannath to be biggest wonder on the earth.

Servitor Raghunath Dasmohapatra inaugurated the function which was presided over by former bureaucrat Vinod Kumar Panda.

  Madan Mohan Mohapatra gave welcome address briefing on subject.  Prof Kartika Das, lawyer Puskar Mahapatra, Rajguru Ashok Mahapatra, Dr Ramakant Kar, Dr Chandra Sekhar Dash, Er Rasmiranjan Roy, Dr Balaram Dash, Pitambar Nayak, Prof Sarbeswar Sarangi, Raghunath Mohanty, researcher Harekrushan Pradhan, writer Linkaraj Dash, poet Hatakishore Mallick, Ramesh Mohapatra, Sushant Mohanty and Bijay Laxmi Sahu spoke.

Er Minaketan Mishra, poet Harapriya Devi, writer Krusnachandra Rath, Sonam Mohanty and Annapurna Devi were felicitated. Trust secretary Laxminarayan Patnaik coordinated, while  Tapan Kumar Sethy gave a vote of thanks. A quarterly magazine was also inaugurated.