Naveen Urges Centre to Confer Classical Status to Odishi Music

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today urged the Centre to confer classical status to Odisha Music (Vocal and Instrumental) to fulfill the long cherished dream of the music lovers of Odisha and India.

The Chief Minister wrote a letter to Union Culture & Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel in this regard on Friday.

“It is a matter of concern that Odishi Music, the tradition of which dates back almost to second century B.C.E is yet to be recognized as a classical music by the Government of India”, the Odisha CM mentioned in the letter.

The Odishan music has, at least a tradition of 2000 years and is based on written Sastra and its own core Raga. It has a distinctive rendition style based on codified grammar, the characteristic giti system of classical texts and having its own tala, different from Hindustani and Karnatak music. No doubt Odishi music has all the requisite and exclusive characteristics to be recognized as a classical music, Naveen said.

He further said that the Odisha Government has undertaken pioneering efforts to get classical status for Odishi music at an institutional level, i.e., establishment of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odishi Research Centre and Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi with the purpose of promotion of music, dance and drama in the State.

Another milestone in the path of promotion of the culture, art, music and tradition of Odisha was the establishment of the Utkal University of Culture way back in the year 1999, by the Government of Odisha, he said.
Odishi music has made significant impact on Indian cultural scenario. Several Odishan playwrights, sculptors, painters and choreographers have earned national and international fame. Odishi dance has been recognized as one of the classical forms and stands eminent because of its characteristic bhangi, thani, lalitya, mudra etc., but ironically Odishi music is yet to be recognized as a classical form of music at national level, he further stated.

The Heritage Cabinet in its meeting held on September 2 decided to draw the attention of Union Government towards according classical status to the Odishi Music.

“I would, therefore, request to kindly appreciate our heritage, the elegant and classical ments of Odishi Music and to consider to confer classical status to Odishi Music (Vocal and Instrumental) to fulfil the long cherished dream of the music lovers of Odisha and that of India”, the CM said.