The Odia Samaj, New Delhi on Saturday organised an online dialogue on Odia language and literature, entitled “Odia Bhasha O Sahitya: Kichhi Drusti, Kichhi Chinta,”.
The webinar was graced by Padma Shri Pratibha Ray, Prof Santanu Kumar Acharya and Prof Manindra Kumar Meher as speakers. Paramita Satpathy, writer and Principal Commissioner of Income Tax was the moderator.
Besides, Odia Samaj president Sidhartha Pradhan, Mridula Pradhan, wife of Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, members of Odia Samaj, New Delhi, and over 900 literature lovers including academicians from various universities and Odias living abroad participated.
Ramachandra Nath, Chief Editor, Pallivani, welcomed the audience, guests and speakers.
Speaking about the past, present and future of Odia literature Dr Pratibha Ray said that Odia literature has its existence since 3rd century BC. One can find traces of Odia script in Shilalipi and Brahmilipi, inscripted during the time of King Ashoka besides minor inscriptions of Kharavela in the Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves, which give first glimpse of possible origin of the Odia language. Adding to this, she said, “If we go into the depths of Odia language and its background, we can see that Odia language has played a significant role in our society.
Prof Santanu Kumar Acharya said literature is considered as the engine of the world. Without literature the world can’t survive. Creation of literature is the reflection of one’s soul, he said and expressed disappointment that since 1913 after Rabindranath Tagore, not a single Indian writer had been awarded Nobel Prize for literature.
Giving a comparison between pre and post Independence literature, Prof Manindra Kumar Meher said, "We can’t avoid ancient literature. The literature of post independence era is driven by our rich ancient literature only." He said if a person reads literature of the earlier era his conscience will become pure and clean.
