April 1st marks a significant day in Odisha, as the state comes together to celebrate Utkal Diwas, also known as Odisha Day or Odisha Foundation Day. This momentous occasion commemorates the formation of the state in 1936, following a long and arduous struggle by the Odia people for a separate identity based on their language and culture.
Utkal Diwas is celebrated with fervor across Odisha and beyond, honoring the cultural, historical, and linguistic significance of the state and its people. This year, the festivities are particularly vibrant, showcasing the state's rich heritage through various events that pay tribute to the bravery and perseverance of the Odia people.
Historically, Odisha is situated on the eastern coast of India and is the ninth-largest state by area and the eleventh-largest by population. The capital, Bhubaneswar, stands as a hub of modernity and tradition, while Cuttack, the former capital until 1948, remains integral to the state's identity. The region's storied past dates back to 261 BC when King Ashoka conquered it and made it part of the Kalinga empire. The subsequent reign of King Kharavela, who defeated the Magadh empire, established Odisha as a land of exceptional art, architecture, and sculpture.
Despite centuries of foreign rule—including the defeat of Gajapati Mukunda Deva, the last Hindu king of Odisha, by the Mughals in 1576 and further fragmentation during British colonialism—the people of Odisha have remained fiercely proud of their heritage, language, and culture. Utkal Diwas serves as a poignant reminder of this resilience and the enduring contributions of the state to India's cultural tapestry.
The journey to statehood was long and arduous, culminating in the formation of Odisha as a separate province on April 1, 1936. Sir John Hubbak took the reins as the first governor, following the persistent struggle led by visionary leaders such as Utkala Gouraba Madhusudan Das, Utkala Mani Gopabandhu Das, and others. Their unwavering dedication paved the way for Odisha’s emergence as a distinct entity.
In March 2011, the Lok Sabha passed the Orissa Bill and Constitution Bill, officially changing the state's name from Orissa to Odisha. This name change was a significant step in reclaiming the state’s cultural identity and heritage.
As part of the celebrations, the BJP government, led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, has announced a series of programs under the banner “Odia Pakhya,” a 14-day celebration from April 1 to April 14, coinciding with the Odia New Year. During these celebrations, the government will promote Odisha's culture, heritage, literature, language, and traditional cuisine. Senior folk artists will be honored for their contributions to Odia art and culture, and a special youth writers’ conference will encourage budding literary talents.
Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj stated, “We will celebrate the Odia Pakhya to instill a sense of pride among our people. It will not just be a festival, but an attempt to strengthen the state’s cultural roots. We are committed to creating platforms to showcase Odisha’s artistic brilliance on a grand scale.”
On April 1, various events will take place across all districts and subdivisions. Activities include blood donation drives, book reading promotions, a food festival, and initiatives asserting the Odia identity. The school and mass education and women and child development departments will organize “Khadi Chuuana” and “Pravesh Utsav” (beginning of studies) on April 2. The handlooms department will host an event themed “Our Dress, Our Identity” on April 3, while the labour and insurance department will launch a campaign encouraging businesses to display nameplates in Odia on April 4.
On April 5, the sports and youth services department will organize a marathon, and a cleanliness drive will follow on April 6 to preserve the sanctity of Odisha’s temples and heritage sites. April 7 will be observed as “Varnobodha Utsav,” distributing the Varnobodha book, a foundational text for learning the Odia language. Blood donation camps will be held on April 8, and the state will launch “Come Buy a Book” on April 9 to promote reading habits and Odia literature.
April 10 will be marked as “A Day for Folk Art” to honor senior artists, followed by a Young Writers’ Conference on April 11 and a program on Odisha’s eminent personalities on April 12. The celebrations will culminate in a food festival on April 13, leading up to grand festivities for the Odia New Year on April 14.
The Utkal Sanskrutika Samaj, a premier socio-cultural organization of Odias in Visakhapatnam, will also celebrate the 90th Utkal Divas on April 1, hosting events that include an inauguration of an Odia food and craft bazaar. Ethnic delicacies such as Manda Pitha and Dahibara Aloe Dum will be on display, along with tributes to influential figures like Madhusudan Das and Gopabandhu Das.
As the celebrations unfold, there are mixed reactions from political leaders. Former minister and BJD leader Prasanna Acharya criticized the initiative, calling it “ridiculous,” while Congress spokesperson Amiya Pandav accused the government of doing little for Odisha in recent months, suggesting that these events are merely an attempt to distract the public.
Despite the political discourse, Utkal Diwas remains a day of unity and pride for the people of Odisha. It is a time to reflect on the state’s glorious past, celebrate its vibrant culture, and look forward to a promising future. As Odias across the world come together to honor their heritage, the spirit of Utkal Diwas continues to inspire generations.
