Odisha CM Writes To Centre For Classical Status To Odissi Music

Bhubaneswar: Chief minister has written to the Centre seeking classical status to Odissi music to fulfil the long cherished dream of music lovers of Odisha and that of India.

In a letter to Union Minister of State for Culture and Tourism Prahlad Singh Patel, the chief minister said the Odishan music has a tradition of 2000 years and is based on Shastra and its own 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 Odissi music has all the requisite and exclusive characteristics to be recognised as a classical music,” he said.

The letter stated that the Odisha government has undertaken pioneering efforts to get classical status for Odissi music at an institutional level, i.e., establishment of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi 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 1999. Odishi music has made significant impact on Indian cultural scenario. Several Odishan playwrights, sculptors, painters and choreographers have earned national and international fame.

The chief minister further said Odissi dance has been recognised as one of the classical forms and stands eminent because of its characteristic bhangi, thani, latiya and mudra etc. But Odissi music is yet get the recognition as a classical form at the national level.

“I would request you to kindly appreciate our heritage, the elegant and classical ments of Odissi music and confer classical status to Odissi music (vocal and instrumental) to fulfil the long cherished dream of music lovers of Odisha and that of India,” Naveen wrote.