VARANASI: To commemorate Odisha Foundation Day, the Kabi Samrat

Upendra Bhanja

(KSUB) Odia Chair is organising a two-day conclave titled "Know Odia, Know Odisha: A Window to Odisha’s Heritage" on April 1 and 2 at the K. N. Udupa Auditorium of the Institute of Medical Science, Banaras Hindu University.
The Kabi Samrat Upendra

Bhanja Odia Chair

, Faculty of Arts, BHU, formally established in 2025, intends to disseminate study and research and encourage students and academicians to engage with the literature, language, and culture through Odisha Studies.
The coordinator, Prof. Gopabandhu Mishra, said that the conclave will shed light on Odisha’s deeply rooted traditions, artistic brilliance, and historical significance. It will act as a platform for intellectual discussions, cultural showcases, and artistic expressions, bringing together academicians, researchers, students, artists, and culture enthusiasts from across the nation.
The event will feature several engaging sessions, including "Jagannath Culture: The Essence of Odia Identity" – a talk by Manorama Biswal Mohapatra, a celebrated Odia poet; "The Evolution of Odia Cinema: Challenges, Milestones, and Transformation" – a lecture by

Surya Deo

, a renowned film historian from Odisha; "Odissi Music Traditions" – insights shared by Prof. Sangita Gosain, an eminent Odissi vocalist; and "Odisha: Past, Present, and Future" – a discussion led by Gurukalyan Mohapatra, journalist and writer.

The evening programme will feature mesmerising classical Sambalpuri and Odissi dance performances by Pragnya Nrutyayan from Bhubaneswar, sponsored by the Odia Language, Literature & Culture Department.
He said that this conclave is a landmark initiative by the Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja Odia Chair to accentuate Odisha’s heritage on a national stage. It aims to bridge cultural gaps, stimulate academic discussions, and offer a deeper understanding of Odisha’s rich traditions.