Bhubaneswar, March 7 The Department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture will organize 'Odisha Utsav' in Kolkata on March 8 to promote the state's rich cultural heritage, an official said on Saturday.
The event, scheduled to be held at the auditorium of the National Library in Kolkata on Sunday, will be inaugurated by Odisha's Culture Minister, Suryabanshi Suraj. On this occasion, Odia writers based in West Bengal and various organizations of the Odia diaspora will also be honored, the official said.
During the Utsav, artists will showcase Odisha's folk arts, rich heritage, traditions, traditional cuisine, handloom, and handicraft products. Artists from Odisha will perform a variety of cultural programs, including Odissi, Sahi Jata, Chhau, Ghumura, Dhemsa, Pashumukha dance, and Sambalpuri dance.
"Odisha is a land of art and culture, and promoting its rich cultural heritage to a wider audience is a key objective of the Utsav. With this in mind, the Department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture is organizing Odisha Utsav for the first time outside the state," the minister said.
He further stated that the festival will provide an excellent platform for cultural exchange among the Odia diaspora and will help reconnect people with Odia cultural values, traditions, and glorious heritage. The event is also expected to play an important role in the wider promotion and dissemination of Odisha's cultural legacy, Suraj said.