Konark Stone Carving #OdishaGI #AToZChallenge

‘Konark Stone Carving' refers to the stone carving of Konark that is the most exemplary model of ancient Odisha temple stone-carving craft practised by artisans in Puri, Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. The art dates back to the late 6^th Century or early 7^th Century AD. 

The name ‘Konark’ is one of the ancient places where stone carving has been practiced for centuries. The UNESCO world-heritage site, Sun Temple, Konark, is one of the centers of origin of the art. 

Although this art has been practiced in other places around Konark like Bhubaneswar, the artisans and craftsmen originate from Konark and cluster of villages nearby. 

The volume and skill of the stone work in Odisha is known from the existing centuries-old temples and stone sculptures in various parts of Odisha. Soapstone, Serpentine, Granite, Sandstone, soft Redstone etc. are used for carving. 

Things Are Going South

Three friends were discussing their next vacation in a conference-call.

One of the friends said:

"Like the birds, I am planning to go South!"

"Where?"

"Antarctica"

"Of all places? Why?"

"Not a single COVID-19 case there!"

The second friend said: 

"I will keep going North and meet you at Antarctica!"

"How will that be possible?"

"If I keep going North, I will eventually go South!"

Source

Berhampur Patta (Phoda Kumbha) Saree And Joda #OdishaGI #AToZChallenge

Odisha has a variety of handlooms. As per records, handloom weaving in Odisha goes back to 600 BC. Some of the Odisha handlooms have earned the Geographical Indications (GI) tag.

You can read about them here- Handlooms of Odisha.

While many saree lovers know the name of Sambalpuri saree, the other names are not that well known.

Have you heard of "Berhampur Phoda Kumbha Patta and Joda"? 

Berhampur is my native place. It is called the silk city of Odisha. The silk sarees of Berhampur are much in demand, especially for marriage purposes.

According to the Orissa District Gazetteer, Ganjam 1995, the craft of silk-weaving was introduced in Berhampur in the 14th Century AD by the Mohuri Kings.

Wings Of Love

He was terribly missing her.

How’d he tolerate the pain?  

Though they spoke many times, telephone conversations weren’t enough.

Social distance was killing him.

She’d gone to Italy, while he was in Spain. 

After lockdown, she couldn’t return...

"If coronavirus doesn't kill me, your absence surely will...," he said.

He woke up with high fever. 

Was it the effect of the dreaded virus or isolation from loved one? 

She longed to run her hands on his face, and help him recover.

PHOTO PROMPT - Douglas M. MacIlroy

Technology doesn’t give these pleasures.

When the winged visitor reached his window, he knew he received "love from Italy". 

100 words story for Friday Fictioneers

What do you think happened next? Did he recover? Does he have Covid-19? 
Please share in the comments below.

Stay Home. Stay Safe. Take Care.

How We Can Make #UtkalaDibasa The Top Trend In Twitter #SpellingIsUtkalaDibasa

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

You can read more about Odisha here.

Always nice to see positive news and reason for celebration trending, especially when it is related to our state.

As I type this, I find the hashtag #UtkalaDibasa trending at the fourth position in the list of India trends in Twitter.

I also find many tweeting using multiple spellings- Utkal, Utkala and Dibasa, Dibas, Divas, Divasa, Diwas, Diwasa and hashtags with a combination of these spellings!

Today is #UtkalaDibasa
Utkala refers to #Odisha
Dibasa means "Day"

However, we find many different spellings being used in #media #socialmedia-
Utkal, Utkala
Dibas, Diwas, Diwasa, Divas, Divasa...

Need to update @Wikipedia entry.
Can everyone use uniform English spelling? pic.twitter.com/VJ0zjkFBr4

— Dr. Anita Sabat (@anitaexplorer) April 1, 2020

Though we have many tweets regarding Odisha Day celebration, as the English spellings in the hashtags used are different, the varied hashtags do not contribute to our trend. 

If everyone used the same hashtag #UtkalaDibasa with the same spelling of "Utkala" & "Dibasa", #UtkalaDibasa could have been the top trend.

The following are some examples of tweets posted on April 1, 2020, where different hashtags like #UtkalaDibas, #UtkalDibas, #UtkalDivas, #UtkalDivasa, #UtkalaDivasa, & #UtkalDiwas have been used-
(There are more hashtags, but I am restricting this post to some screenshots showcasing these)

About Odisha Geographical Indications #OdishaGI #GITags #AToZChallenge

Odisha has a rich history, culture, and heritage. Lord Jagannath is the presiding deity of Odisha. Odisha Tourism's tagline is “India’s Best Kept Secret”. Just like the age-old customs and rituals of Shree Jagannath and His temple are unknown to many, facts about Odisha are yet to be known. 

There are many unique products of Odisha that are being made by certain communities from many centuries. Some products belong to a specific part of Odisha i.e. they are only made/manufactured in a particular area viz. in a single or two or more village(s), city(ies), or district(s), or spread over the entire state. Some of these products are internationally famous. However, many products prepared by using traditional knowledge and skills are just known to the community or to the place they belong. Once more people know about a geographical region’s unique products, the demand can increase. Only when information is shared, can people be made aware.

About GI

“A Geographical Indication (GI) is an agricultural, natural or a manufactured product (handicrafts and industrial goods) originating from a definite geographical territory”.

GI Registry awards an agricultural, natural or a manufactured cultural product the GI tag on the basis of their application to protect manufacturers/producers.

GI Registry is a part of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. 

GI is a type of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). GI is an IPR that is a community right.

How many people are aware about the names of GIs of their states? 

As many are yet to learn/know about GIs, wrong information has been and is being provided in many online sites and media. 

For the Rasagola Mahotsav this year, Team OTV listened to this author's pleas and put up the following info-display board with names and logos of all the registered GIs of Odisha. Truly grateful to them for this. It was a selfie-point at the Rasagola Mahotsav.

Info-board at the Rasagola Mahotsav 2020 by Team OTV at Cuttack

Odisha GIs

Odisha has got the following 17 GIs registered so far:

(1) GI Application No.-10 - Kotpad Handloom Fabric- Handicraft
(2) GI Application No.- 22 - Orissa Ikat - Handicraft
(3) GI Application No.- 87 - Konark Stone Carving - Handicraft
(4) GI Application No.- 88 - Orissa Pattachitra - Handicraft
(5) GI Application No.- 86 & 108 - Pipli Applique Work - Handicraft
(6) GI Application No.- 136 - Khandua Saree and Fabrics - Handicraft
(7) GI Application No.- 167 - Gopalpur Tussar Fabrics - Handicraft
(8) GI Application No.- 207 - Dhalapathar Parda & Fabrics - Handicraft
(9) GI Application No.- 208 - Sambalpuri Bandha Saree & Fabrics - Handicraft

(10) GI Application No.- 217 - Bomkai Saree & Fabrics - Handicraft
(11) GI Application No.- 219 - Habaspuri Saree & Fabrics - Handicraft

(12) GI Application No.- 220 – Berhampur Patta (Phoda Kumbha) Saree & Joda – Handicraft

(13) GI Application No.- 228 - Ganjam Kewda Rooh - Manufactured

(14) GI Application No.- 229 - Ganjam Kewda Flower - Agriculture

(15) GI Application No.-607 – Araku Valley Arabica Coffee – Agriculture

(16) GI Application No.-610 - Kandhamal Haladi - Agriculture

(17) GI Application No.-612 - Odisha Rasagola – Food Stuff

Note- My Theme for this year's April #AToZChallenge is - the Geographical Indications (GIs) of Odisha #OdishaGI.

The list presented here is the correct list of GIs of Odisha.

This is my sincere attempt to share information about the GI-Tags of Odisha. These are linked with the culture, traditions, history, reputation etc of the geographical location(s) of our state. 

Everyone does not know everything. There is a lot to learn. When information is shared, people can know and be aware. Then, we can be in a position to identify the real info from the fake news and misinformation .

Do follow my posts to learn more about the GIs of Odisha.

Today, April 1 is Utkala Dibasa i.e. Odisha Day.
Quiz Question: 
Last Utkala Dibasa, i.e. on April 1, 2019, which product of Odisha earned the GI Tag?

Answer:
Kandhamal Haladi
Today is the first anniversary of the GI Tag of Kandhamal Haladi.

Linking with IndiSpire#318
Participating in the April A To Z Challenge with #OdishaGI as the theme. 
You can check out my #AToZChallenge posts here.

Are you aware of Geographical Indications? 
The names of how many GIs of Odisha had you heard before? 
Do share in the comments below.

Theme Reveal #AToZChallenge 2020 #OdishaGI

Our country, India, is vast and varied and boasts of 'Unity in Diversity'. 

Odisha is one of the 28 states of India. Odisha is located in the eastern part of India.

Like India and many other states of India, Odisha too has a rich history, heritage, and culture. 

There are many unique products of Odisha that are being made by certain communities from many centuries. Some products belong to a specific part of Odisha i.e. they are only made/manufactured in a village, block, city, or district. Some of these products are internationally famous. 

My Theme for this year's April #AToZ Challenge is - the Geographical Indications (GIs) of Odisha #OdishaGI.

I have taken up this theme as I would like to share information about the GI-Tags of Odisha. These are linked with the culture and traditions of my state, Odisha.
Many people are yet to know and to be aware. A lot of misinformation and fake news is still being .

I feel we need to know the facts and truth so that we can stand up for them and defend them.

This is my humble endeavour to create awareness.

Do follow my posts to learn more about the GIs of Odisha.

This is the fourth year I am participating in the April A To Z Challenge.
This is the first time I am sharing a Theme Reveal post :)
While in my maiden challenge in 2017, I had written and shared poems, in the last two editions of the challenge, my theme was- Odisha. 
You can check out my #AToZChallenge posts here.

Are you aware of Geographical Indications? Do share in the comments below.

Coronavirus Too Shall Pass

Coronavirus too shall pass and become the past,
This attack can't continue; surely it won't last.
All we need is be hopeful & stick on like glue.
"Tough times don't last, tough people do."

All of us are on the same boat now; united we stand.
Our world has a common enemy; we understand.
As each of us battles coronavirus- deadly & invisible,
To win this war, let's be optimistic & responsible.

No colour, gender, border, religion, region or race,
Time to show our nerves of steel & our brave face.
Our contribution can help our world in this fight.
#StayHomeStaySafe & Social Distancing is right.

Pattachitra from Odisha, India - Traditional art work depicts a woman wearing mask

Telecast of Ramayan And Mahabharat

When PM Modi ji announced Janata Curfew on March 22, 2020 to fight coronavirus, and citizens followed his call countrywide, the streets were deserted that Sunday. Seeing the visuals in the news, I told my father that this was how the streets looked when Ramayan and Mahabharat used to be telecast on Doordarshan in the late 80's.

I was in school and I remember how the whole family used to be glued to the screens when these shows were telecast. My grandparents, both from my paternal and maternal side, were particularly happy.
My maternal grandparents were seated in their chairs much before the shows were to start, and asked everyone - all my uncles, aunts, cousins and us (when we were around) to come. If anyone was missing, she/he would be called. It was like an alarm or school-bell to signal presence and alertness to imbibe the precious lessons.
The scene in my paternal grandparents house was not much different. They used to also invite all the 'khalasis' (workers) and household staff and all watched together as the extended family-members in the huge hall.
Everyone looked forward to the screening. These were truly mega-family shows. They brought together family members of different ages, and they all enjoyed watching the shows together.
They were popular with all, especially all the elders of the family, who advised everyone to watch.  Their wishes were the family's command.
Also, there was no alternate channel for choice/competition, and thus no jostling for the remote or flipping channels! 

Micro Superhero

"Sorry, we cannot accept this for publication! 

It has some words that are not even in the dictionary! 

Is the plot even possible?"

Amy had typed every word with great imagination.

PHOTO PROMPT © Jeff Arnold

She clutched her novel's manuscript and made her way out.

It was their loss that they could not understand her Micro Superhero's story. 

She self-published.

The scientific fraternity was shaken six decades later.