Orixa, Orissa, Oddiyana, and Odisha

Odisha, a state in Eastern India, has had many names and references in the past.

We have discussed some of them in this post-

Utkala, Kalinga, Orissa - Some Names of Odisha - 

https://www.anitaexplorer.com/2018/04/utkala-kalinga-orissa-some-names-of.html

ORIXA

"Orixa" is another name of Odisha.

It is shown in the following map of 1711 by Samuel Thornton-

Source: themaphouse.com

Quiz About Geographical Indications #GIQuiz #OdishaGI #KnowYourGI #GIsofIndia

How do we get to learn something some fact or information?

• When someone, say family-member, friend, relative, or teacher informs us
• When we read in books, magazines or newspapers- offline or online
• When we watch films or videos or news channels and media coverage

Am I missing some other sources of info? If yes, please do share in the comments section of this post.

When I see the misinformation and fake news doing the rounds, it gives me great pain.

Clearly, there is a reason or purpose why some people are spreading the wrong information. 

Either they themselves are not aware of facts, having got their knowledge from misleading and inaccurate sources, or they have ulterior motives to spread the wrong info.

Over the years, when many people indulge in such kind of activities, the "origin" story of a product gets rewritten or doctored. When a lie is repeated hundreds of times, it appears to be the truth. 

However, "truth is still the truth even if no one believes it".

The Geographical Indications (GIs) are unique and special products of a particular area. They have earned the GI certificate from the Ministry of Commerce of the respective governments of nations. However, many people of the respective states or countries are yet to learn about them! 

Take me for instance. 

Despite being a culture and heritage enthusiast, I did not know about Dhalapathar Parda and Fabrics, Habaspuri Saree and Fabrics, and Ganjam Kewda Flower and Ganjam Kewda Rooh before independently researching and working for the Geographical Indications of Odisha, taking a self-initiative. However, once I knew and am in the process of knowing, it has been my sincere endeavour to create awareness and dispel misinformation.

There is a huge knowledge and awareness gap.

Our school text-books do not have information about these GI goods. I feel such information should be included in the school books. Social Studies should mention these "invaluable treasures of incredible India". 

How many of our students are interested to learn something beyond what is taught in school textbooks? 

This is a humble request to the authors of text-books and to the teachers: please do include this information so that the next generation can be aware. 

Once we are aware, we can be proud of our rich heritage and culture.

Quizzes are a great way to test our knowledge. They are a fun and interesting way to learn.

How many of us love quizzing? 

Personally, I love quizzes. Rapid-fire rounds are a good exercise for the memory.

How sharp are you when it comes to quizzing? Can you recollect names of products and places when they come up in discussions?

When I first conducted a Quiz on Odisha in Twitter in 2014, I realized how little people know about Odisha. Now, six years have passed. Things may be slightly better in this tech age and new decade. Still, it is always amazing to discover what is available in our own city/district/state/country that we were not aware.

Though some may have had heard the names and know the category of the products, they still do not  know that the same products have earned the GI tags. Sadly, this includes the artisans, weavers and farmers too who are involved in making these products.

Please do join for the #GIQuiz and #KnowYourGI this World Intellectual Property Day.
Twitter- @oditatrust - http://twitter.com/oditatrust
Facebook- @oditatrust - http://www.facebook.com/OditaTrust
Instagram- @oditatrust - http://www.instagram.com/oditatrust/

See you on 26 April 2020 on the social media handles of Odita Trust.
Test your knowledge and learn more about #OdishaGI and #GIsofIndia.

Q For- Quizzing

Quiz about Geographical Indications
I am writing A-Z posts about the Geographical Indications (GIs) of Odisha #OdishaGI.
GI is a distinctive certificate used to identify a product as originating from a particular region or locality that has specific qualities, reputation or other unique characteristics. GI products are linked with the culture, traditions, history etc. of a geographical location. 
Only when info is shared, people can learn and be aware.
This is my sincere attempt to share information about the GI Tags of Odisha.
You can check out my other GI posts here.
My previous #AToZChallenge posts here.

Let us all use GI products - the "invaluable treasures of incredible India", and encourage our artisans, weavers, and farmers.

Are you aware of the Geographical Indications of India? 
Do you like Quizzing?

Please do share in the comments below.

Orissa Pattachitra #OdishaGI #KnowYourGI #GIsofIndia

The word Pattachitra is derived from the Sanskrit word “patta”, which means a painted piece of cloth, or a plate; "chitra" means paintings or pictures.

The brilliantly colored Pattachitra works originated at Puri. They were/are produced as souvenirs for the pilgrims of the Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri, Odisha. 
Pattachitra is linked with Shree Jagannath Temple. 

You can see more images in this post- Pattachitra depicting Rasagola Dibasa and Niladri Bije Rath Yatra.

Themes for the Pattachitra paintings range from incidents in Krishna’s life and the avatars of Vishnu to the epic tales of Ramayana and Mahabharata. 

Odisha Geographical Indications And Spellings #OdishaGI #KnowYourGI #GIsofIndia

Odisha is a culturally and naturally-rich state situated in eastern India. 
As per records, Odisha's history is at least 5,000 years old. 
Odisha has been known by many names over the centuries.
"Kalinga" and "Utkala" are popularly used even today. More information here. 

Odisha was the first state of India formed on the linguistic basis. 

Orissa, a state of Oriya speakers, was established as a province of British India on 1 April 1936. 

We celebrate 1 April every year as Utkala Dibasa.

Note- Odisha was previously called "Orissa." 

The English name Orissa was changed to "ODISHA" in 2011. 

The spelling of Oriya language too has been changed to "ODIA" in 2011. 

However, many people are not aware and continue to use the old spellings.
Many books and maps are yet to update the correct spellings.
Some organisations/offices etc. have to use the old name i.e. "Orissa" as their names still have not been changed.

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!

Rasagola Day

Odisha is an Eastern state of India.

Despite it being 'the Soul of Incredible India', Odisha is yet to get credit for so many things- like the Rasagola.

Rasgulla/Rasagolla/Rasagola...spell it in anyway, prepare it in any shape or size or have it in any part of the world, the fact is that Odisha is the birthplace of the Rasagola.

There are many variations and innovations that are found in different parts of India. However, the most amazing, yummiest, finest, softest and delicious Rasagolas are found in Odisha. One has to come to Odisha and get the taste of mouthwatering varieties of Rasagolas.

In my post Kaleidoscopic Indian Culture, I had compared Indian culture with Rasagola and had mentioned the great varieties of Rasagolas as follows:

Rasagola

There were many comments:

Blog Comment

Blog Comment

How many of us know that Rasagolas have been offered for centuries in the Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri in Odisha? 

Dalma Hotel, Bhubaneswar

The food belonging to the state of Odisha i.e. Odia cuisine is very nutritious and delicious.
Though we have it everyday at home, this weekend we tried out a popular restaurant named Dalma.
This hotel is named after a famous dish of Odisha- Dalma dish is prepared using Dal (Pulses- Arhar or Moong) along with vegetables and coconut.

Dalma restaurant has three branches in Bhubaneswar and also has branches in other cities like Delhi, Kolkata & Bengaluru. We visited the Unit-4, Madhusudan Nagar branch in Bhubaneswar.

Here is my post about Dalma Restaurant for www.askme.com

Dalma Hotel, Unit-4, Bhubaneswar

I was excited to find Saura Art on the walls leading to the restaurant. Saura Art is a beautiful tribal art of Odisha that depicts humans, animals and nature.

Utkala Dibasa

Odisha, a state in India, has a rich cultural heritage and ancient history. 

1st April is celebrated as Utkala Dibasa. It is also called Odisha Dibasa or Odisha Day.

In Odia language, Dibasa means a day of celebration.

On this day in 1936, Odisha was created as a separate state. It was the first state created on linguistic basis.

Odisha was previously called Utkala. Utkala finds a mention in our National Anthem too.

On the occasion of Utkala Dibasa, buildings are lit and there are celebrations.

Here is the video of the song 'Bande Utkala Janani' (Hail Utkala Motherland)

Prathamastami - Festival Of Odisha

Incredible India has some incredible festivals.

Odisha, a state of India, has some unique & interesting festivals.

Today is the eighth day in the Odia month of Margashira (8 days after Kartik Purnima). It is celebrated as Prathamastami. (Prathama means first & Astami means eighth day)

Prathamastami is celebrated in Odisha for the wellness, long-life & prosperity of the first-born or eldest child in a family. Gender is not an issue, qualification needed is one has to be the first-born child of her/his parents!

First-borns have some special privileges and are entrusted extra responsibilities in India. Being the eldest has its perks too - rewarded with extra “share” called the “Jyeshta-bhaga” (Part/share of the eldest).

Prathamastami makes the siblings jealous when the eldest sibling gets the attention & new clothes! Who doesn’t want new clothes, good food & special treatment?

Their argument- Why should the first-borns have all the fun? ;)

In some families of 4-5 members, where both the parents happen to be the first-born, a majority in the family is first-born! They celebrate Parthamastami for all their kids so that the younger ones don’t cry or feel left out!