Bhubaneswar,1.4.2026- Today Odisha celebrates it’s 90th Odisha day popularly known as (Utkal divas) with festive excitement. The 1st April of every year is celebrated to commemorate the formation of a separate state of India.
Odisha was formerly a part of Bihar- Odisha province. In 1936 it was separated and became an independent state on a linguistic basis. Earlier there were only six districts in Odisha, I.e undivided Puri, Cuttack, Ganjam, Balasore, Sambalpur, and Koraput by bringing Odia spoken regions from Bihar- Bengal and Madras presidency. At that time cuttack was considered the capital of the then Odisha.
Long after Odisha losing independence in 1568 when king Mukunda Dev was the ruler of the state in 1903 a socio- cultural and political organisation’s named Utkal Samilani was formed under the leadership of Sri Madhusudhan Das, later awarded as Utkal Gourav. Sriram Chandra Bhanjdeo, maharaja of princely state of Mayurbhanj aiming to unite the scattered Odia speaking regions as well as the lost art, sculpture and it’s heritage.
Odisha was one of the poorest state of India and was reeling under acute poverty being affected by frequent natural calamities like flood, draught famine and cyclone. It was impossible for people of Odisha to visit Bihar, Bengal and Madras presidency for every small reason.After a long and hectic Socio- Cultural movement on1st April of 1936 the British government declared Odisha as a separate state.
The Foundation Day of Odisha still known as Utkal Divas because the name Utkal originated from the anciant kingdom mentioned in Mahabharat honouring the long struggle of the then freedom fighters,even it is mentioned in our national anthem by Tagore.
Like yesteryear the present govt is also set to celebrate with massive preparation.
Government buildings, courts, schools, colleges, cultural centers are decorated with colourful lights, flowers. Artists from every corner of Odisha come to Bhubabeswar to perferm their art with sence of unity with pride that was captivated for long long time.
Report by- Sambit Mishra, Bhubaneswar.
