Odisha Rasagola Earns GI Tag #OdishaRasagola

Odisha has finally earned the GI tag for Odisha Rasagola on 29th July, 2019!

The GI Application for "Odisha Rasagola" was filed on February 23, 2018, by Odisha Small Industries Corporation Limited (OSIC), under the MSME Department of the Govt. of Odisha.  Utkal Mistanna Byabasayee Samiti, an association of Rasagola sweet-makers of Odisha, was the joint applicant.

'Rasa', Rasakora, Rasabara And Rasagola in Odia #AToZChallenge

The word ‘Rasa’ is related to Odisha's culture. 

'Rasa' in Odia
The Odia word 'Rasa' means 'juice', 'relish', 'flavour' or 'savour'. ‘Rasa’ refers to the 'taste of something'. 
In Odisha, 'Rasa' is intrinsically linked and present in so many spheres- food, literature, geographical places, conversations...

Many Odia epics like Rasabinod, Rasakallolla and Rasakalpalata etc have 'Rasa' in their names.

In the tradition and food culture of Odisha, the names of many dishes and sweetmeats like Rasabara, Rasakora, Rasakhai, Rasabali, Rasaphena, Rasmalai, Rasakadamba, Rasaladu, Rasagola etc. start with the word ‘Rasa’. These have been traditionally prepared from Chhena (cottage-cheese) and other ingredients from centuries.

Source

Pages 7007-7020 of the Volume VI of Purnachandra Odia Bhasakosha (Purnachandra Odia Dictionary) list words starting with ‘Rasa’. This dictionary, with 1,85,000 words and their meanings in four languages, is the result of three decades of dedicated work by Gopal Chandra Praharaj (1874-1945).

No Postal Stamp For The "Inventor of Rosogolla"

Who is the 'Inventor of the Rosogolla'?
If you answered, Nobin Chandra Das, then please note that it is not the correct answer.

 

Following the Banglar Rasogolla GI tag, unfortunately many are misinformed owing to the bombardment of biased and misleading information via news-reports and videos shared by most media. 

Articles claim that Nobin Chandra Das "invented the Rosogolla in 1868" and that 2018 is the 150th year of the "Invention of Rosogolla"! It may be mentioned that apart from the so-called "Invention of Rosogolla in Calcutta, Bengal, in 1868", there is no evidence in this regard except a stone plaque erected in 1968 in K.C.Das's family home in Baghbazar, Calcutta, to commemorate the "centenary celebration of Rosogolla invention".

The plaque states:

"The  famous institution of the inventor of Rosogolla, Mr Nobin Chandra Das, was located here. The institution was shut down by the order of the government banning production of milk sweets in 1965. this stone inscription commemorates the centenary of the invention of Rosogolla: 1868-1968."

As per Biswanath Ghosh's article published in The Hindu dated November 12, 2015:

“There is no historical evidence — and there can never be one — to prove that the rossogolla originated in West Bengal, even though the K.C. Das family claims that it was ‘invented’ by their ancestor, Nobin Chandra Das, in erstwhile Calcutta. Their claim, in fact, is cast in stone. Their family home in Baghbazar bears a plaque...It must have taken countless trials and errors, spanning several decades if not a century or two, before we got the first flawless rossogolla. To say that Nobin Chandra Das invented it would be as good as saying that Baba Ramdev introduced yoga in India.”

Open Letter To The Odisha State Govt. Regarding Rasagola

Dear Odisha State Govt.,

As we have seen, the media across the world has given excessive coverage to "Banglar Rasogolla" and most of the reports about 'Rosogolla' GI (Geographical Indication) tag have been biased and misleading. 

Having spoken to your ministers, secretaries and government officers, and being unsure of any action being taken by you, I solicit your answers to my following questions regarding Rasagola:

Many of us want to know- What are you doing for the Odisha Rasagola cause?

Why didn't you react when the "Banglar Rasogolla" was first featured in the GI Journal#99 on July 14, 2017 (just like you immediately reacted on November 14, 2017 after "Banglar Rasogolla" was awarded the tag) ?

Didn't you know that the Journal#99 with "Banglar Rasogolla" had been made available in the public domain as per rule 41(1) of Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Rules, 2002, and that the product i.e. "Banglar Rasogolla" would be registered with GI if there is no 'Notice of Opposition' and if the application is not challenged by anyone within the three months period?

Do you know how proactive the other states are for filing their respective GI applications?

115 Varieties of Bhog of Shree Jagannatha Temple Puri

The state of Odisha in India has a rich culinary tradition. Odisha boasts of an amazing variety of dishes, most of which are associated with the ancient temple traditions of Odisha from centuries.

The general public is yet to learn about this state's rich culture. Many Odias, even those residing in Odisha, are grossly unaware.

On 24th December, 2017, thanks to Neeladri Adyatmik Trust, we got a novel opportunity to attend a unique event that introduced us to 'Odisha Mandirara Bhoga Parampara' i.e. the 'Bhog tradition of Odisha Temples'. A book by the same name was released on the occasion.

An 800-pages book 'Shree Jagannath Gyana Kosha' was also released in the event.

Chhapana Bhoga (56 Bhog) of Shree Jagannatha is pretty famous. But, the fact is Shree Jagannatha is offered many more dishes and thus, the number of bhog is not just 56 in number. Number of offering vary as per the traditions, and on the festive occasion of Makar Sankranti, there are 84 bhog- the highest number of offerings are given. It is even mentioned in the Record of Rights as "Makara Chaurasi Bhoga".

Some of the dishes like 'Mandua' are unknown even to some Puri city inhabitants!

We had the opportunity to see 115 varieties of bhog exhibited in the event.
You can take a look at this short video that shows some glimpses :

Lord Jagannath's Rasagola #RasagolaProject

“I never stood a chance, did I?”

"Why this doubt?"

"They are debating about my origin!"

"The truth still remains the same, no matter what some say!"

"And most of the world doesn't know the truth- that you have always gifted me to your wife - Maa Lakshmi."

"Yes, I take your help to pacify Lakshmi after my replies to Her questions (Bachanika). She then lets me inside our home after my Ratha Jatra outing with my siblings "

"On Niladri Bije, Bhittarachhu Mohapatra, a major priest (sebayat) prepares me with much love as per the ancient tradition and hands me over to you to gift."

   

"Then, I smartly gift you to Lakshmi, who is both surprised and delighted to receive my sweet gift!"