Maritime Trade of Kalinga Odisha

Odisha, previously called Kalinga, has a rich cultural link with many nations. Dr. Lalatendu Das Mohapatra, Assistant Director of Archives, National Archives, Bhubaneswar spoke on "Maritime Heritage of Odisha" in Bhubaneswar on 29th March, 2019. I attended his talk that was held at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.

Having done extensive research on the maritime trade and heritage of Odisha, and also having published his PhD thesis as a book, Dr. Das Mohapatra is an authority on this subject. His presentation was very informative. He shared interesting info about Odisha's trade in her glorious past.

Apart from doing trade with foreign nations, the adventurous and enterprising Odia merchants ensured local trade too. 

I never knew that Odisha had such trade-links with Goa. There is cultural resemblance of goddesses, food etc in Goa and Odisha.

Odisha And Bali Connection

Odisha, erstwhile Kalinga, has a rich and ancient cultural and civilizational link with Bali, Indonesia, and other South East Asian nations like Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia etc.

Odisha Handloom - "Orissa Ikat" Saree with boat

Every year on Kartik Purnima in November, the Odias i.e. the people of Odisha, observe a traditional festival. As per the age-old custom, they float small paper-boats or boats made of other materials with earthen lamps and flowers. The water-bodies of Odisha- rivers, lakes and ponds are filled with hundreds of boats commemorating Odisha’s glorious maritime trade. This is called “Boita Bandana”.

Utkala, Kalinga, Orissa - Some Names of Odisha #AToZChallenge

Odisha was constituted on April 1,1936, as Orissa.

April 1st is celebrated as Utkala Dibasa i.e. Odisha Day.

The word 'Utkala' means 'Utkarsha Kala' or 'the land of exquisite art & craft'.

History refers to Odisha in many names - Kalinga, Utkala, Odra, Kosala, Tosali, Kangoda, Udavisau, Odyadesa, ...

Kalinga is a famous and popular name of Odisha thanks to the Kalinga War. In fact, some refer to Odisha as Kalinga even today!
(At the venue of the Peace Run at Lumbini, Nepal in 2017, they introduced me and Budhia Singh as belonging to Kalinga!)

In the 2018 annual lecture of Sambad and Aama Odisha held on 28th April i.e. on Swabhiman Dibasa, researcher Shri R.Balakrishnan shared: "The word 'Kalinga' means 'a piece of cloth or garment'. This proves how ancient the handlooms are. Odisha has always been known for its weavers and artisans. Kalinga finds mention in the ancient Tamil literature too."

Between the 11th and 16th centuries, in place of the name Kalinga, the old tribal name 'Odra Desha'/'Udra' began to be used. 

Gradually, the name was transformed into Odisha (or Udisha, or Udisa), which in English was named 'Orissa'.

The spelling -'Orissa' was widely used.
An acrobatic foot archer named Orissa Kelly has been named after Orissa.

Many Geography books, Atlas, Maps and Tourism Guides still have 'Orissa' as the spelling of Odisha.
Even some newspapers  and Central Government Offices still have "Orissa" in their names.
(After I contacted @CCidOrissaIndia, they simply changed the place name to Odisha, but the office name still has "Orissa")

C CID Bureau Crime Control Investigation Department Officials C CID Intelligence Headquarters Bhubaneswar, Orissa India
All Crime Cases Investigation Department Of India
All Social Work Organisation Of India
Har Jurm Se Aage Har Jurm Ke Khilaaf C CID
9412314148, 9808919663 pic.twitter.com/AVJZrza4Hc

— C CID Orissa, Odisha India (@CCidOrissaIndia) May 2, 2018

Many are not aware that the spelling of 'Orissa' has been changed to 'Odisha' in 2011.
The Rajya Sabha passed the Orissa (the Alteration of Name) Bill and adopted the Constitution 113th Amendment Bill after a debate where members said the name-change was a "process of decolonisation as the Britishers had changed the Indian names of cities and states."

@arvindpadhee @odisha_tourism Videos & advertising pamphlets etc in d past & even present maps still hv Orissa.Identity crisis@rocking_amsa

— Dr. Anita Sabat (@anitaexplorer) October 12, 2014

The language of Odisha that was previously known as 'Oriya' (before the name-change of the state) is now 'Odia'.

Since Kalinga is linked to Odisha's maritime glory, and Utkala refers to the rich artistic excellence, the two names are still widely used and well-known.

There are many companies and brands that have Kalinga and Utkala in their names including some recent startups like our company's brand- Utkalamrita.

Post for my second #atozchallenge. U for Utkala.

My Theme is- "Odisha- The Soul of Incredible India".
Odisha is a state in the eastern part of India. Have you visited Odisha and India? 

I am sharing some glimpses from Odisha. Do keep reading and discovering!

Budhia Singh At Nepal - Day 4

Budhia Singh from Bhubaneswar, India, was invited by the Nepal Government to participate in the "Lumbini To Mount Everest Peace Run 2017".

17th May 2017 - Day 4 - Kathmandu To Kalinga

The last day of our Nepal trip began early. After a quick breakfast, Prof.Dr.Panth, Budhia Singh, Marathon Man Amar Subba & I checked out of our hotel to set out for Swayambhunath.

The entire team was already ready. The Peace Run commenced at this ancient heritage temple of Swayambhunath.

The Team made multiple rounds (parikrama) with the PeaceTorch.

Budhia Singh At Nepal - Day 3

Budhia Singh from Bhubaneswar, India, was invited by the Nepal Government to participate in the "Lumbini To Mount Everest Peace Run 2017".

16th May 2017 - Day 3 - Bhairahawa To Kathmandu

Our Buddha Air morning flight from Bhairahawa to Kathmandu was delayed. Ex-VC of Nalanda University, Prof Dr. Ravindra Panth, had been invited by the Theravada Buddhist Academy to deliver a lecture from 8-9 AM in their premises in Kathmandu. As our flight was cancelled the previous night and the morning flight was late, Prof Dr.Panth, Budhia & I missed this classroom lecture. However, we had an invite from World Peace Temple- Vishwa Shanti Vihara that has the said academy in its premises. 

After reaching Kathmandu and checking into Hotel Marshyangdi in Thamel, we got set to explore the heritage sites. Our guide, a knowledgeable, elderly gentleman named Mr. Surendra, is an avid follower of Indian news and a great fan of our PM Modiji. 

We visited the World Heritage Site of Patan. 

L-R- Mr. Surendra, Prof. Dr. Ravidra Panth, Budhia Singh & I

Budhia Singh At Nepal - Day 2

Budhia Singh from Bhubaneswar, India, has been invited by the Nepal Government to participate in the "Lumbini To Mount Everest Peace Run 2017".

15th May 2017 - Day 2 - Kathmandu To Lumbini

We had a morning flight from Kathmandu to Lumbini. However, the Buddha Air flight got delayed. When it arrived finally, Budhia boarded Buddha Air.

Budhia Singh

The chief organizer, Shri Bikram Pandey KAJI received us at the Gautam Buddha International Airport, Bhairahawa, and took us to Lumbini to meet the other runners. We had a great reception by the Peace Run Team- four-times Olympian, Baikuntha Manandhar, Marathon Man of Sikkim, Amar Subba, local marathon woman, Shah Banu Khan and three-times Everest Marthon Winner, Deepak Rai amid others. 

Then, Budhia Singh, Prof Dr. Ravindra Panth, and I were given Peace Run T-Shirts and sportswear that we wore and set out for the event venue. 
Nepal Government authorities, Lumbini Development Trust officials, revered Monks from monasteries, visitors, and members of Press & Media were already waiting for us at the Maya Devi Temple, Lumbini. They addressed as "from the land of Kalinga" and felicitated us.

While the monks chanted hymns, the peace torches were lit from the eternal flame in the Maya Devi Temple, Lumbini. 

Budhia Singh At Nepal - Day 1

Budhia Singh from Bhubaneswar, India, has been invited by the Nepal Government to participate in the "Lumbini To Mount Everest Peace Run 2017".

14th May 2017 - Day 1 - Bhubaneswar To Kathmandu via New Delhi

Our day started early as both Budhia Singh and I woke up at 3 AM to be ready and to reach the airport before 4:15 AM to be on time for our early morning Indigo flight that was at 5:15 AM. 

My sister, Amrita Sabat, and our driver dropped Budhia & me at the Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar.

The lady CISF officer was happy to check the name on Budhia's Aadhar Card. 

PC:  Amrita Sabat

She exclaimed "Budhia Singh! Itne se thhey jab dekha tha. Kitney lambey ho gaye ho!" (You were so small when I had seen you last. How tall have you grown!)

After the security-check, we clicked some pictures and occupied our seat #s- 8A & 8B. 

Budhia was drowsy.

Lumbini To Mount Everest Peace Run 2017

World's Youngest Marathon Runner, Budhia Singh, from Odisha, India, has been invited to run in Kapilvastu, Lumbini, Nepal.

Budhia will be travelling to the land of the Buddha!
This is to establish the deep link between the two lands- Kalinga (i.e. present-day Odisha) and Kapilvastu - both rich with Buddhist heritage.

Budhia Singh