Odia people - Revision history

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{{Redirect|Odias||Odia (disambiguation){{!}}Odia}}
{{short description|Ethnic group associated with the Indian state of Odisha}}
{{EngvarB|date=June 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2015}}
{{More citations needed|date=February 2017}}
{{Infobox ethnic group
| group = Odias
| native_name = ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଲୋକ
| native_name_lang = od
| flag =
| population = '''{{Circa|40 million|lk=yes}}'''<ref name="ethnologue.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ethnologue.com/language/ory|title=Odia|website=ethnologue}}</ref>
| region1 = {{IND}}
| pop1 = 33,026,680 (2011)
| ref1 = <ref name="Census 2011">[http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011Census/Language-2011/Statement-1.pdf Statement 1 : Abstract of speakers' strength of languages and mother tongues - 2011]</ref>
| region2 = {{Flag|USA}}
| pop2 = 106,400 <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.census.gov/library/data/tables/2008/demo/language-use/2009-2013-acs-lang-tables-nation.xls|title=US Census Bureau American Community Survey (2009 - 2013) |quote=See Row #63 |website=Census.gov|access-date=17 August 2018}}</ref>
| region3 = {{Flag|Australia }}
| pop3 = 72,000 <ref>{{cite web|title=Census shows Indian population and languages have exponentially grown in Australia|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/yourlanguage/hindi/en/article/2017/06/28/census-shows-indian-population-and-languages-have-exponentially-grown-australia|website=SBS Australia|access-date=28 June 2017}}</ref>
| region4 = {{Flag|UAE}}
| pop4 = 37,590
| region5 = {{Flag|Qatar}}
| pop5 = 25,590
| region6 = {{Flag|Kuwait}}
| pop6 = 19,394
| region7 = {{Flag|Canada}}
| pop7 = 17,350 <ref>{{cite web|title=Total - Mother tongue for the total population excluding institutional residents - 100% data|url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=PR&Code1=01&Geo2=PR&Code2=01&Data=Count&SearchText=01&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=Language&TABID=3|website=Census Profile, 2016 Census|publisher=Statistics Canada Statistique Canada|access-date=2 February 2018}}</ref>
| region8 = {{Flag|Malaysia}}
| pop8 = 15,000
| region9 = {{Flag|Oman}}
| pop9 = 13,400
| region10 = {{Flag|Singapore}}
| pop10 = 10,800

| langs = [[Odia language|Odia]]
| religions = '''Predominantly''':<br>[[File:Om.svg|15px]] [[Hinduism]]<br>'''Minorities''':<br>{{hlist|[[File:Allah-green.svg|15px]] [[Islam]]|[[File:Christian cross.svg|12px]] [[Christianity]]|[[File:Jain Prateek Chihna.svg|12px]] [[Jainism]]|[[File:Dharma Wheel.svg|18px]] [[Buddhism]] and others}}
}}

{{State of Odisha}}
The '''Odia''' ({{lang|or|ଓଡ଼ିଆ}}), formerly spelled '''Odiya''', are native to the Indian state of [[Odisha]] and have the [[Odia language]] as their [[mother tongue]]. They constitute a majority in the eastern coastal state of [[Odisha]], with significant minority populations in [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[Chhattisgarh]], [[Jharkhand]] and [[West Bengal]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=abNDLZQ6quYC&pg=PA233|title=Ethnic Groups of South Asia and the Pacific: An Encyclopedia|isbn=9781598846591|last1=Minahan|first1=James|year=2012}}</ref>

== Etymology ==
The earliest Odias were called [[Odra Kingdom|Odra]] or [[Kalinga (Mahabharata)|Kalinga]], which later on became [[Utkal]]. The word Odia has mentions in [[epic (novel)|epics]] like the [[Mahabharata]]. The Odras are mentioned as one of the peoples that fought in the Mahabharata. [[Pali]] literature calls them Oddakas. [[Ptolemy]] and [[Pliny the Elder]] also refer to the Oretas who inhabit India's eastern coast. The modern term Odia dates from the 15th century when it was used by the medieval Muslim chroniclers and adopted by the [[Gajapati Kingdom|Gajapati]] kings of Odisha.

== History ==
{{Main|History of Odisha}}
===Ancient period===
The Odias are distinguished by their [[ethnocultural]] customs as well as the use of the Odia language. Odisha's relative isolation and the lack of any discernible outside influence has contributed towards preserving a social and religious structure that has disappeared from most of North India.

The inhabitants of Odisha were known as [[Odra Kingdom|Odras]], [[Utkala Kingdom|Utkal]] and [[Kalinga (Mahabharata)|Kalinga]] in [[Mahabharata]]. During 3rd century BCE coastal Odisha was known as Kalinga. According to Mahabharata Kalinga extended from the mouth of [[Ganga]] in north to the mouth of [[Godavari]] in south.

During 4th Century, [[Mahapadma Nanda]] conquered Kalinga.
During rule of [[Ashoka]], Kalinga was annexed as part of [[Maurya Empire]]. During 2nd century BCE, [[Kharavela]] emerged as powerful ruler. He defeated several kings in North and South India. During this period Utkala was centre of [[Buddhism]] and [[Jainism]].
[[File:Hathigumpha.JPG|thumb|300px|left|Entrance of the Hathigumpha]]
[[File:Hatigumfa.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Hathigumpha inscription]] of King Khāravela at Udayagiri Hills]]
During reign of [[Gupta Empire]], [[Samudra Gupta]] conquered Odisha.

===Medieval period===
[[Shailodbhava dynasty]] ruled the region from 6th century to 8th century. They built [[Parashurameshvara Temple]] in 7th century which is oldest known temple in Bhubaneswar. [[Bhauma-Kara dynasty]] ruled Odisha from 8th to 10th century. They built several Buddhist Monasteries and temple including of [[Lalitgiri]], [[Udayagiri, Odisha|Udayagiri]] and [[Baitala Deula]]. [[Keshari dynasty]] ruled from 9th to 12th century. They constructed [[Lingaraj Temple]], [[Mukteshvara Temple, Bhubaneswar|Mukteshvara Temple]] and [[Rajarani Temple]] in Bhubaneswar.{{sfn|Walter Smith|1994|p=27}} They introduced a new style of architecture in Odisha and their rule saw a shift from [[Buddhism]] to [[Brahmanism]].{{sfn|Walter Smith|1994|p=26}} Then [[Eastern Ganga dynasty]] ruled Odisha from 11th to 15th century AD. They constructed famous [[Konark temple]]. [[Gajapati Empire]] ruled the region in 15th century. The Empire was extended from Ganga river in the north to Kaveri river in the south during reign of [[Kapilendra Deva]].
[[File:Parasurameswar temple with linga.jpg|thumb|7th century Parasurameswar temple, the oldest temple in Bhubaneswar]]
[[File:Lalitgiri WIKI.JPG|thumb|Lalitgiri Manastry]]
[[File:Beauty of LingrajTemple.jpg|thumb|Lingaraj Temple]]
[[File:Konark Sun Temple Front view.jpg|200px|thumbnail|right| Narasimhadeva I is known to have built the Konark temple.]]

===Modern period===
Odisha remained an independent regional power till the early 16th century A.D. It was conquered by the [[Mughals]] under [[Akbar]] in 1568 and was thereafter subject to a succession of Mughal and [[Maratha Empire|Maratha]] rule before finally falling to the [[United Kingdom|British]] in the year 1803.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2019/state-editions/book-by-british-ics-officer-covers----orissa--as-a-whole.html|title=Book by British ICS officer covers 'Orissa' as a whole|website=dailypioneer|author=GYANENENDRA NATH MITRA|date=25 December 2019|access-date=25 December 2019}}</ref>

Hard impositions of taxes by the British, administrative malpractices by the pro British Bengali landlords or officials and stripping the rights of local people along with suppression of native landlords in Odisha led to India's first<ref>https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/paika-bidroha-to-be-named-as-1st-war-of-independence/article19909264.ece</ref> reorganized revolt against the British in the year 1817 popularly known as [[Paik Rebellion|Paika Bidroh]] or rebellion. Battle worthy leaders like [[Jayi Rajaguru]] (1806) and [[Buxi Jagabandhu]] (1773) along with the Paikas and Kondh tribal conscripts fought gallantly against the British and won for brief time declaring the independence from the British authority. A series of rebellions and uprisings led by numerous brave Odias like Tapang rebellion (1827), Banapur rebellion (1835), Sambalpur uprising (1827–62), Ghumsur Kondh uprising (1835), Kondh Rebellion (1846–55), Bhuyan uprising (1864), Ranapur Praja Revolt (1937–38), etc. followed in Odisha making it a difficult task for the British to maintain absolute authority over Odisha.

While under the Maratha rule, major Odia regions were transferred to the rulers of Bengal that resulted in successive extinction of the language over the course of time in vast regions that stretched until today's [[Bardhaman district|Burdawan]] district of West Bengal. The British applied their divide and rule policy and subsequently transferred Odia areas to the neighboring non-Odia administrative divisions that contributed to the extinction of Odia culture and language in the formerly core regions of Odisha or Kalinga. Following popular movements and rise of consciousness for Odia identity, a major part of the new Odisha state was first carved out from [[Bengal Presidency]] in 1912. Finally Odisha became a separate province and the first officially recognized language-based state of India in 1936 after the amalgamation of the Odia regions from [[Bihar and Orissa Province|Bihar Orissa Province]], [[Madras Presidency]] and [[Chhattisgarh Division]] was successfully executed. 26 Odia [[princely state]]s including [[Seraikela Kharsawan district|Sadheikala-Kharasuan]] in today's Jharkhand also signed for merger with the newly formed Odisha state while many major Odia speaking areas were left out due to political incompetence.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DsXLDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA86|title=Language Policy and Education in India: Documents, contexts and debates|isbn=9781134878246|access-date=25 December 2019|last1=Sridhar|first1=M.|last2=Mishra|first2=Sunita|date=5 August 2016}}</ref>

== Geographic distribution ==
Although the total Odia population is unclear, [[2001 Census of India]] puts the population of Odisha at around 36 million. There are smaller Odia communities in the neighbouring states of [[West Bengal]], [[Jharkhand]] and [[Chhattisgarh]]. Most Odias in West Bengal live in the districts of [[Midnapore]] and [[Bankura]]. [[Surat]] in Gujarat also has a large Odia population, primarily diamond workers in the southern district of Ganjam. [[Bengaluru]] and [[Hyderabad]] have sizable Odia population due to an IT boom in late 2000s. Some Odias have migrated to [[Bangladesh]] where they are known as [[Bonaz]] community.

While the southern part of the state has inter migration within the country, the northern part of the state has migration towards the [[middle east]] and the [[Western world]]. [[Balasore]] and [[cuttack]] are known as immigration centers of [[Odisha]].

===Diaspora===
Most of the Odia population abroad originates predominantly from the northern district of [[Balasore]] followed by [[Cuttack]] and [[Bhadrak]]. The migrants who work within the country predominantly originate from [[Ganjam]] and [[Puri]] districts.
Most American Odias prior to 1980 came from [[Balasore]], [[Sambalpur]] and [[Cuttack]], increased demand for software engineers and adoption have brought Odias from other areas.

Migration to the [[United Kingdom]] has been recorded since 1935, where mostly people from [[Balasore]] in undivided [[Bengal]] province went to work to [[United Kingdom]] and thereafter continuing a chain migration very predominant then, and continues to this day. Most British Odias have obtained British citizenship.

In the late 2000s many Odias, predominantly from [[Balasore]] and [[Cuttack]], went to the US East coast to study and to work. This resulted in chain migration, predominantly from [[Balasore]] and [[Cuttack]].

During 2009 construction boom in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, Odias predominantly from [[Balasore]], [[Bhadrak]] and [[Cuttack]] migrated to the area to earn high salaries in the IT and construction sectors.
==Communities==
Odias people are subdivided into several communities such as [[Utkala Brahmin|Brahmin]], [[Jyotish (caste)|Jyotish]]
, [[Karan (caste)|Karan]], [[Rajput]], [[Paika (caste)|Paika]], [[Khandayat]], [[Chasa caste|Chasa]], [[Gopal (caste)|Gopal]], [[Bania (caste)|Bania]], [[Kansabanik|Kansari]]
, [[Gudia (caste)|Gudia]], [[Patra (caste)|Patara]], [[Tanti]], [[Teli]], Badhei, [[Kamar (caste)|Kamar]], [[Barika (caste)|Barika]], [[Mali (caste)|Mali]], [[Kumhar|Kumbhar]], [[Chamar]], Keuta, [[Dhobi|Dhoba]], [[Bhoi|Bauri]], Kandara, [[Domba]], [[Pano (caste)|Pano]], Hadi etc.<ref name="BehuraMohanty2005">{{cite book|author1=Nab Kishore Behura|author2=Ramesh P. Mohanty|title=Family Welfare in India: A Cross-cultural Study|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o6Gz0ZDw7PQC&pg=PA49|year=2005|publisher=Discovery Publishing House|isbn=978-81-7141-920-3|pages=49–}}</ref>

== Language and literature ==
{{Main|Odia language}}
Around 35-40 million people in Odisha and adjoining areas speak and use [[Odia language]] which is also one of the six classical languages of India.<ref>https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/odia-gets-classical-language-status/article5711965.ece</ref> Odia words are found in the 2nd century B.C [[Jaugada]] inscriptions of emperor [[Ashoka]] and 1st century B.C [[Khandagiri]] inscriptions of emperor Kharavela. Known as Odra Bibhasa or as Odra Magadhi Apabrhamsa in ancient times the language has been inscribed throughout the last two millenniums in ancient [[Pali]], [[Prakrit]], [[Sanskrit]] and [[Odia language|Odia]] scripts. The Buddhist Charyapadas composed in the 7th to 9th centuries by Buddhists like Rahula, Saraha, Luipa, etc. The literary traditions of Odia language achieved prominence towards the rule of the [[Somavaṃśī dynasty|Somavamshi]] and Eastern Dynasty. In the 14th century during the rule of emperor Kapilendra Deva Routray, the poet Sarala Dasa wrote the Mahabharata, Chandi Purana, and Vilanka Ramayana, praising the goddess Durga. Rama-bibaha, written by Arjuna Dasa, was the first long poem written in Odia. Major contributions to the Odia language in the Middle Ages were contributed by the Panchasakha, [[Jagannatha Dasa (Odia poet)|Jagannatha Dasa]], [[Balarama Dasa]], [[Acyutananda]], [[Yasovanta]] and Ananta.

Mughalbandi or Kataki Odia, spoken in the [[Cuttack]], [[Khordha]] and [[Puri]] districts is generally considered as the standard dialect and is the language of instruction and media. There are eight major forms of Odia spoken across the Odisha and adjoining areas while another thirteen minor forms spoken by tribal and other groups of people. New literary traditions are emerging in the western Odia form of the language which is [[Sambalpuri language|Sambalpuri]] and prominent poets and writers have emerged like [[Haldhar Nag|Haldar Nag]].

== Culture ==
=== Art ===
{{Main|Arts of Odisha}}
[[Odissi dance|Odissi]] is one of the oldest classical dances of India. The [[Applique]] work of [[Pipili]] and [[Sambalpuri Saree|Sambalpuri]] sarees are notable. The silver filigree work from Cuttack and Pattachitra of Raghurajpur are some really authentic representation of ancient Indian art and culture.

Odias were the master of swords and had their own form of martial arts, later popularly known as "[[Paika akhada]]".

=== Architecture ===
{{See also|Kalinga architecture}}
The Odia architecture has a regional architectural tradition that dates back to at least the 6th century from the times of the [[Shailodbhava dynasty]]. From the times of the Somavamshi and the Eastern Ganga dynasty the [[Kalinga architecture]] form achieved prominence with its special style of temple designs which consist of four major sections of a religious structure, namely Mukha Deula, Nata Mandapa, Bhoga Mandapa and Garba Griha (or the inner sanctum). The examples of these marvelous structures are prevalent across the several hundreds of temples build across the state of Odisha mainly in Bhubaneswar which happens to be known as the temple city. [[Jagannath Temple, Puri|Puri Jagannath temple]], ruins of the [[Konark Sun Temple|Konark Sun]] temple, [[Lingaraja Temple|Lingaraj]] temple, etc. are the living examples of ancient Kalinga architecture.

=== Cuisine ===
{{Main|Cuisine of Odisha}}
Seafood and sweets dominate Odia cuisine. Rice is the staple cereal and is eaten throughout the day. Popular Odia dishes are [[Rasagolla]], [[Rasabali]], [[Chhena Poda]], [[Chhena kheeri]], [[Chhena jalebi]], Chenna Jhilli, [[Chhenagaja]], [[Khira sagara]], [[Dalma (dish)|Dalma]] and [[Pakhala]]. Machha Besara (Fish in mustard gravy), Mansha Tarkari (Mutton curry), sea foods like Chingudi Tarakari (Prawn curry), and Kankada Tarakari (Crab curry). A standard Odia meal includes Pakhala (watered rice), Badhi Chura, Saga Bhaja (Spinach fry), Macha Bhaja, Chuin Bhaja, etc.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://odishanewsinsight.com/features/cuisine-of-odisha/|title=Cuisine Of Odisha|website=odishanewsinsight|date=16 November 2019|access-date=18 January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/lifestyle/food/odia-delicacies-in-bengalurus-first-ama-odia-bhoji-to-tickle-taste-buds20200112200631/|title=Odia delicacies in Bengaluru's first 'Ama Odia Bhoji' to tickle taste buds|website=aninews|date=12 January 2020|access-date=18 January 2020}}</ref>

=== Festivals ===
{{Main|Festivals of Odisha}}
A wide variety of festivals are celebrated throughout the year; There is a saying in Odia, ‘Baarah maase, terah pooja’, that there are 13 festivals in 12 months of a year. Well known [[festivals]], that are popular among the Odia people, are the [[Ratha Yatra]], [[Durga Puja]], [[Kali Puja]], [[Nuakhai]], Pushpuni, Pua Jiunita, [[Raja (festival)|Raja]], [[Dol Purnima|Dola Purnima]], [[Astaprahari]], Pana Sankranti (as [[Vaisakhi]] is called in Odisha ), [[Kartik Purnima]] / [[Boita Bandana]], Khudrukuni puja /Tapoi Osa, [[Kumar Purnima]], [[Ditia Osa]], [[Chaitra Purnima]], [[Agijala Purnima]], [[Bhai Juntia]], [[Pua Juntia]], [[Jhia Juntia]], [[Sabitri Brata]], [[Sudasha Brata]], [[Manabasa Gurubara]] etc.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://telanganatoday.com/tenacious-people-odisha|title=The tenacious people of Odisha|website=telanganatoday|date=2 December 2018|access-date=18 January 2020}}</ref>

=== Religion ===
Odisha is one of the most religiously homogeneous states in India. More than 94% of the people are followers of Hinduism.<ref name="census2011">{{cite web|title=Population by religion community – 2011|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW00C-01%20MDDS.XLS|website=Census of India, 2011|publisher=The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150825155850/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW00C-01%20MDDS.XLS|archivedate=25 August 2015}}</ref> Hinduism in Odisha is more significant due to the specific Jagannath culture followed by Odia Hindus. The practices of the [[Jagannath]] sect is popular in the state and the annual [[Rath Yatra]] in Puri draws pilgrims from across India.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thenewleam.com/2018/07/lord-jagannaths-rathyatra-as-a-marker-of-odia-identity/|title=Lord Jagannath's Rathyatra as a Marker of Odia Identity|website=thenewleam|date=23 July 2018|access-date=18 January 2020}}</ref> Under the Hindu religion, Odia people are believers of a wide range of sects with roots to historical times.

Before the advent of the Vaisnava sects Purrushotam Jagannath cult in Odisha, Buddhism and Jainism{{citation needed|date=December 2018}} were two very prominent religions. According to Jainkhetra Samasa, the Jain tirthankar Prasvanth came to Kopatak which is now Kupari of Baleswar district and was the guest of a person called Dhanya. The Kshetra Samasa, says that Parsvnath preached at Tamralipti (now Tamluk in Bengal) of Kalinga. The national religion of ancient Odisha became Jainism during the time of the emperor Karakandu in the 7th Century B.C. The Kalinga Jina asana was established and the idol of Tirthankara Rishabhanatha then also known as the "Kalinga Jina"was the national symbol of the kingdom. Emperor Mahmeghvahana Kharavela was also a devout Jain and a religiously tolerant ruler who reclaimed and re-established the Kalinga Jina that was taken away as a victory token by the [[Nanda Empire|Magadhan]] king, [[Mahapadma Nanda]].

Buddhism was also a prevalent religion in the Odisha region until the late Bhaumakar dynasty's rule. Remarkable archaeological findings like at Dhauli, Ratnagiri, Lalitgiri, khandagiri and Puspagiri across the state have unearthed the buried truth about the Buddhist past of Odisha in a large scale. Even today we can see the Buddhist impact on the socio-cultural traditions of the Odia people. Though a majority of Buddhist shrines lay undiscovered and buried, the past of Odia people is rich with descriptions about them in the Buddhist literature. The [[Relic of the tooth of the Buddha|tooth relic]] of Buddha was first hosted by ancient Odisha as the king Brahmadutta constructed a beautiful shrine in his capital Dantapura (assumed to be Puri) of Kalinga. Successive dynasties in ancient Odisha's Kalinga or Tri Kalinga region were tolerant and secular in their governance over all the existing religions with [[Vedic period|Vedic]] roots. This provided a peaceful and secure environment for all the religious ideologies to flourish in the region for over a time period of three thousand years. The founder of Vajrayana Buddhism, King [[Indrabhuti]] was born in Odisha along with other prominent monks like [[Saraha]], [[Luipa]], Lakshminara and characters of Buddhist mythology like Tapassu and Bahalika were born in Odisha.

Hindu sects like [[Shaivism]] and [[Shaktism]] are also the oldest ways of Hindu belief systems in Odisha with many royal dynasties dedicating remarkable temples and making them state religion over their time of rule in history. [[Lingaraja Temple|Lingaraja]], Rajarani, Mausi Maa Temple and other Temples in Bhubaneswar are mostly of Shaivaite sect while prominent temples of goddesses like Samleswari, Tara-Tarini, Mangala, Budhi Thakurani, Tarini, Kichekeswari and Manikeswari, across Odisha are dedicated to the [[Shakti]] and [[Tantra|Tantric]] cult.

The Odia culture is now mostly echoed through the spread of Vaishnavite [[Jagannath]] culture across the world and the deity Jagannath himself is deeply rooted to every household traditions, culture and religious belief of Odia people today. There are historical references of wooden idols of Hindu deities being worshiped as a specific trend of Kalinga region far before the construction of [[Jagannath Temple, Puri|Puri Jagannath temple]] by the king, [[Anantavarman Chodaganga|Choda Ganga Deva]] in 12th century.

Lately converted Christians are generally found among the tribal people especially in the interior districts of [[Gajapati district|Gajapati]] and [[Kandhamal]]. Around 2% of the people are [[Odia Muslims]], most of them are indigenous though a small population are migrants from [[North India]] and elsewhere. The larger concentration of the minority Muslim population is in the districts of Bhadrak, Kendrapada and Cuttack.

=== Music and dance ===
{{See also|Folk dance forms of Odisha}}
[[Odissi music]] dates back as far as the history of the classical Odissi dance goes back. At present, the Odissi music is being lobbied by the intellectual community of the state to be recognized as a classical form of music by the cultural ministry of India. Be side Classical Odissi dance, there are some other prominent cultural and folk dance forms of the Odia people that have followed different parts if evolution over the ages.
* [[Odissi]]: A Major ancient classical dance.
* [[Mahari dance|Mahari]]: A predecessor of Odissi dance that was mostly performed by the temple Devadashi community or royal court performers.
* [[Laudi Badi Khela]]:Is a traditional dance of Odisha. This is performed during [[Dol Purnima|Dola Purnima]] by Gopal (Yadav) community of Odisha.
* [[Dhemsa]]: Is a very popular dance format of the tribal area Undivided Koraput districts of Odisha. This generally performed by the Bhartas/Gouda/Parja Community of Koraput & Nabarangapur during the celebration.
* [[Gotipua]]
The folk dance forms have evolved over ages with direct tribal influence over them. They are listed as below.
* [[Chhau dance|Chhau]]: The Odia Chhau dance is a direct result of its ancient martial traditions which are depicted in dance performances. Though Chhau is basically an Odia art form, it is also performed in West Bengal. Saraikella Chhau and Mayurbhanj Chhau are the only two Odia variants that have survived over time with its originality.
* [[Ghumura dance]]: Is a direct result of the ancient martial traditions of the Odias when Odia Paikas who marched into the battlefield or rested on the beats and tunes of the Ghumura music.
* [[Dalkhai]] Dance: Though this dance form has evolved from tribal dance forms, it shows a complex mix of the themes taken from various religious texts of Hinduism. It is very a popular folk dance form of western Odisha.
* Jodi Sankha: It also derives itself from the martial traditions of ancient Odisha and the performers use only the music generated from the two conchs held by each of them.
* [[Baagh Naach|Baagh Nach]]
Modern Odias have also adopted western dance and forms. Remarkably, the [[Prince Dance Group|Prince dance group]] was declared as the winner of TV reality show "India's Got Talent" in the year 2009 and [[Ananya Sritam Nanda]] was declared as the winner of junior Indian Idol in the year 2015.

=== Entertainment ===
Ancient traces of entertainment can be traced to the rock edicts of Emperor Kharavela which speaks about the festive gatherings held by him in the third year of his rule that included shows of singing, dancing and instrumental music. Ancient temple art of the Odias give a strong and silent testimony to the evolution of Odissi classical dance form over the ages. Bargarh district's Dhanujatra which is also believed to be world's largest open air theater performance, Pala and Daskathia, Jatra or Odia Opera, etc. are some of the traditional ways of entertainment for masses that survive to this day. Modern Odia television shows and movies are widely appreciated by a large section of the middle class section of the Odias and the it continues to evolve at a rapid rate with innovative ways of presentation.

== Notable people ==
{{See also|List of people from Odisha}}
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}


* [[Binayak Acharya]]
* [[Afzal-ul Amin]]
* [[Subroto Bagchi]]
* [[Bhikari Bal]]
* [[Bhagabat Behera]]
* [[Chakradhar Behera]]
* [[Chandi Prasad Mohanty]]
* [[Sanatan Mahakud]]
* [[Krishna Beura]]
* [[Kadambini Mohakud]]
* [[Hemananda Biswal]]
* [[Dutee Chand]]
* [[Nabakrushna Choudhuri]]
* [[Ashok Das]]
* [[Bibhusita Das]]
* [[Bidhu Bhusan Das]]
* [[Bishwanath Das]]
* [[Gopabandhu Das]]
* [[Madhusudan Das]]
* [[Manoj Das]]
* [[Nandita Das]]
* [[Prabhat Nalini Das]]
* [[Shaktikanta Das]]
* [[Anil Dash]]
* [[Rajendra Narayan Singh Deo]]
* [[Giridhar Gamang]]
* [[Hussain Rabi Gandhi]]
* [[Biswabhusan Harichandan]]
* [[Mehmood Hussain]]
* [[Madhu Sudan Kanungo]]
* [[Indrajit Mahanty]]
* [[Harekrushna Mahatab]]
* [[Lalit Mansingh]]
* [[Chaturbhuj Meher]]
* [[Gangadhar Meher]]
* [[Kailash Chandra Meher]]
* [[Kunja Bihari Meher]]
* [[Sadhu Meher]]
* [[Sabyasachi Mishra]]
* [[Baidyanath Misra]]
* [[B. K. Misra]]
* [[Dipak Misra]]
* [[Ranganath Misra]]
* [[Tapan Misra]]
* [[Biren Mitra]]
* [[Sayeed Mohammed]]
* [[Anubhav Mohanty]]
* [[Baisali Mohanty]]
* [[Debashish Mohanty]]
* [[Surendra Mohanty]]
* [[Uttam Mohanty]]
* [[Bibhu Mohapatra]]
* [[Kelucharan Mohapatra]]
* [[Sona Mohapatra]]
* [[Arabinda Muduli]]
* [[Srabani Nanda]]
* [[Bibhuti Bhushan Nayak]]
* [[Pragyan Ojha]]
* [[Nila Madhab Panda]]
* [[Arun K. Pati]]
* [[Biju Patnaik]]
* [[Janaki Ballabh Patnaik]]
* [[Jayanti Patnaik]]
* [[Naveen Patnaik]]
* [[Sudarshan Patnaik]]
* [[Sambit Patra]]
* [[Devdutt Pattanaik]]
* [[Dharmendra Pradhan]]
* [[Manasi Pradhan]]
* [[Ramakanta Rath]]
* [[Ekram Rasul]]
* [[Nilamani Routray]]
* [[Sarojini Sahoo]]
* [[Archita Sahu]]
* [[Jairam Samal]]
* [[Debasish Samantray]]
* [[Biplab Samantray]]
* [[Pratap Chandra Sarangi]]
* [[Nandini Satpathy]]
* [[Fakir Mohan Senapati]]
* [[Sadashiva Tripathy]]


{{div col end}}

==See also==
*[[Non-resident Odia]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Odia people}}
* [http://www.odisha.gov.in/ Odisha.gov.in]

{{Odisha}}

[[Category:Indo-Aryan peoples]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in India]]
[[Category:People from Odisha| ]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:00, 13 April 2026
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	\| religions = '''Predominantly''':<br />[[File:Om.svg\|15px]] [[Hinduism]]<br />'''Minorities''':<br />{{hlist\|[[File:Christian cross.svg\|12px]] [[Christianity]]\|[[File:Allah-green.svg\|15px]] [[Islam]]		\| religions = '''Predominantly''':<br />[[File:Om.svg\|15px]] [[Hinduism]]<br />'''Minorities''':<br />{{hlist\|[[File:Christian cross.svg\|12px]] [[Christianity]]\|[[File:Allah-green.svg\|15px]] [[Islam]]
	\|[[File:Jain Prateek Chihna.svg\|12px]] [[Jainism]]\|[[File:Dharma Wheel.svg\|18px]] [[Buddhism]] and others}}		\|[[File:Jain Prateek Chihna.svg\|12px]] [[Jainism]]\|[[File:Dharma Wheel.svg\|18px]] [[Buddhism]] and others}}
	\| related_groups = [[Indo-Aryan people]]~~, [[Bengalis]]~~		\| related_groups = [[Indo-Aryan people]]s
	}}		}}
	{{Infobox ethnonym\|root=ଓଡ଼ିଆ Odiā\|person=Odiā\|people=Odiā Lōka\|language=[[Odia language\|Odiā]]\|country=[[Odisha]] <br> [[Kalinga (region)\|Kalinga]] (hist.)}}		{{Infobox ethnonym\|root=ଓଡ଼ିଆ Odiā\|person=Odiā\|people=Odiā Lōka\|language=[[Odia language\|Odiā]]\|country=[[Odisha]] <br> [[Kalinga (region)\|Kalinga]] (hist.)}}
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	According to political scientist Sudama Misra, the Kalinga [[janapada]] originally comprised the area covered by the [[Puri district\|Puri]] and [[Ganjam district\|Ganjam]] districts.<ref>{{Cite book \|last=Miśra \|first=Sudāmā \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Dua1AAAAIAAJ \|title=Janapada State in Ancient India \|date=1973 \|publisher=Bhāratīya Vidyā Prakāśana \|language=en}}</ref>		According to political scientist Sudama Misra, the Kalinga [[janapada]] originally comprised the area covered by the [[Puri district\|Puri]] and [[Ganjam district\|Ganjam]] districts.<ref>{{Cite book \|last=Miśra \|first=Sudāmā \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Dua1AAAAIAAJ \|title=Janapada State in Ancient India \|date=1973 \|publisher=Bhāratīya Vidyā Prakāśana \|language=en}}</ref>

	According to some scriptures ([[Mahabharata]] and some [[Puranas]]), a king Bali, the [[Vairocana]] and the son of Sutapa, had no sons. So, he requested the sage, Dirghatamas, to bless him with sons. The sage is said to have begotten five sons through his wife, the queen Sudesna.<ref>{{Cite book \|last=Patil \|first=Rajaram D. K. \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Jmnm-smZm6oC&dq=bali+sudesna&pg=PA46 \|title=Cultural History From The Vayu Purana \|date=1973 \|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publishers \|isbn=978-81-208-2085-2 \|language=en}}</ref> The princes were named [[Anga#Origin of name\|Anga]], [[Vanga kingdom#References in the Mahabharata\|Vanga]], [[Kalinga (Mahabharata)\|Kalinga]], [[Suhma kingdom#References in Mahabharata\|Sumha]] and [[Pundra kingdom#References in Mahabharata\|Pundra]].<ref>{{Citation \|title=History of Odisha \|date=2024-12-03 \|work=~~Bharatpedia~~ \|url=https://en.~~Bharatpedia~~.org/wiki/History_of_Odisha#cite_note-7500BC-3 \|access-date=2024-12-09 \|language=en}}</ref> The princes later founded kingdoms named after themselves. The prince Vanga founded [[Vanga kingdom]], in the current day region of [[Bangladesh]] and part of [[West Bengal]]. The prince Kalinga founded the kingdom of [[Kalinga (historical kingdom)\|Kalinga]], in the current day region of coastal Odisha, including the North Sircars.<ref>{{Citation \|title=History of Odisha \|date=2024-12-03 \|work=~~Bharatpedia~~ \|url=https://en.~~Bharatpedia~~.org/wiki/History_of_Odisha#cite_note-enHindu-5 \|access-date=2024-12-09 \|language=en}}</ref>		According to some scriptures ([[Mahabharata]] and some [[Puranas]]), a king Bali, the [[Vairocana]] and the son of Sutapa, had no sons. So, he requested the sage, Dirghatamas, to bless him with sons. The sage is said to have begotten five sons through his wife, the queen Sudesna.<ref>{{Cite book \|last=Patil \|first=Rajaram D. K. \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Jmnm-smZm6oC&dq=bali+sudesna&pg=PA46 \|title=Cultural History From The Vayu Purana \|date=1973 \|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publishers \|isbn=978-81-208-2085-2 \|language=en}}</ref> The princes were named [[Anga#Origin of name\|Anga]], [[Vanga kingdom#References in the Mahabharata\|Vanga]], [[Kalinga (Mahabharata)\|Kalinga]], [[Suhma kingdom#References in Mahabharata\|Sumha]] and [[Pundra kingdom#References in Mahabharata\|Pundra]].<ref>{{Citation \|title=History of Odisha \|date=2024-12-03 \|work=Wikipedia \|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Odisha#cite_note-7500BC-3 \|access-date=2024-12-09 \|language=en}}</ref> The princes later founded kingdoms named after themselves. The prince Vanga founded [[Vanga kingdom]], in the current day region of [[Bangladesh]] and part of [[West Bengal]]. The prince Kalinga founded the kingdom of [[Kalinga (historical kingdom)\|Kalinga]], in the current day region of coastal Odisha, including the North Sircars.<ref>{{Citation \|title=History of Odisha \|date=2024-12-03 \|work=Wikipedia \|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Odisha#cite_note-enHindu-5 \|access-date=2024-12-09 \|language=en}}</ref>

	The Mahabharata also mentions Kalinga several more times. Srutayudha, the king of Kalinga, son of [[Varuna]] and river Parnasa, had joined the [[Kaurava]] camp in the [[Kurukshetra War]]. He had been given a divine [[Gada (mace)\|mace]] by his father on request of his mother, which protected him as long as he wielded it. But, Varuna had warned his son, that using it on a non-combatant will cause the death of the wielder himself. In the frenzy of battle, harried by [[Arjuna]]'s arrows, he made the mistake of launching it at Krishna, Arjuna's charioteer, who was unarmed. The mace bounced off Krishna and killed Srutayudha. The archer who killed [[Krishna]], Jara Savara, and [[Ekalavya]] are said to have belonged to the [[Sabar people]] of Odisha.<ref>{{Cite book \|last=Pati \|first=Rabindra Nath \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_5seKkk3GkIC&pg=PA97 \|title=Family Planning \|date=2008 \|publisher=APH Publishing \|isbn=978-81-313-0352-8 \|language=en}}</ref>		The Mahabharata also mentions Kalinga several more times. Srutayudha, the king of Kalinga, son of [[Varuna]] and river Parnasa, had joined the [[Kaurava]] camp in the [[Kurukshetra War]]. He had been given a divine [[Gada (mace)\|mace]] by his father on request of his mother, which protected him as long as he wielded it. But, Varuna had warned his son, that using it on a non-combatant will cause the death of the wielder himself. In the frenzy of battle, harried by [[Arjuna]]'s arrows, he made the mistake of launching it at Krishna, Arjuna's charioteer, who was unarmed. The mace bounced off Krishna and killed Srutayudha. The archer who killed [[Krishna]], Jara Savara, and [[Ekalavya]] are said to have belonged to the [[Sabar people]] of Odisha.<ref>{{Cite book \|last=Pati \|first=Rabindra Nath \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_5seKkk3GkIC&pg=PA97 \|title=Family Planning \|date=2008 \|publisher=APH Publishing \|isbn=978-81-313-0352-8 \|language=en}}</ref>
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	{{See also\|List of people from Odisha}}		{{See also\|List of people from Odisha}}
	{{div col\|colwidth=35em}}		{{div col\|colwidth=35em}}
	<!---♦♦♦ Only add a person to this list if they already have their own article on the English ~~Bharatpedia~~ ♦♦♦--->		<!---♦♦♦ Only add a person to this list if they already have their own article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦--->
	<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by LAST NAME ♦♦♦--->		<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by LAST NAME ♦♦♦--->
	* {{annotated link \|Achyutananda Dasa}}		* {{annotated link \|Achyutananda Dasa}}
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	* {{annotated link \|Sadashiva Tripathy}}		* {{annotated link \|Sadashiva Tripathy}}
	* {{annotated link \|Bijaya Kumar Sahoo}}		* {{annotated link \|Bijaya Kumar Sahoo}}
	<!---♦♦♦ Only add a person to this list if they already have their own article on the English ~~Bharatpedia~~ ♦♦♦--->		<!---♦♦♦ Only add a person to this list if they already have their own article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦--->
	<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by LAST NAME ♦♦♦--->		<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by LAST NAME ♦♦♦--->
	{{div col end}}		{{div col end}}