Bhubaneswar: Odisha is set to honour one of its illustrious historical figures with ‘Gajapati Divas@591’ on June 29.
The event, which is being organised by Beyond Heritage Trust in collaboration with Utkal University and the Odisha Sahitya Academy, marks the 591st anniversary of the coronation of Kapilendra Deva, founder of the Suryavanshi Gajapati dynasty, who ascended the throne on June 29, 1435, at Kruttibasa Kataka (present-day Bhubaneswar).
Kapilendra Deva transformed the kingdom into a vast empire stretching from the Ganges in the north to the Kaveri River in the south, encompassing territories across present-day Odisha, parts of Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and beyond. Historians regard him as one of medieval India’s most successful rulers, who remained undefeated in military campaigns, reformed administration, and positioned himself as a humble servant of Lord Jagannath while championing Sanatana Dharma. Despite his achievements, his legacy remains relatively under-recognised outside Odisha.
Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj will attend the programme, scheduled to begin at 10 am Utkal University here, as the chief guest. Distinguished guests include eminent historian Kuldip Chand Agnihotri, Vice-Chairman of the Haryana Sahitya Akademi; and former Vice-Chancellor of North Orissa University Prafulla Kumar Mishra as chief speaker. Other dignitaries such as Cuttack MP Bhartruhari Mahtab, Prof Kishore Kumar Basa, Padma awardee Adwaita Charan Gadanayak will be present as guests of honour. Utkal University Vice-Chancellor Chandiprasad Nanda, Odisha Sahitya Academy Secretary Dr Chandrashekhar Hota, along with Chairman of Beyond Heritage Trust & Renowned Architect Shri Subhaja Mohanty will also grace the event.
The three-hour programme will commence with the inauguration of a special exhibition titled “Samara, Samrata, o Sanatana: Gajapati Kapilendra Deba”, where the saga of the Gajapati’s heroism and imperial expansion will be displayed through various maps, inscriptions, and replicas. Following this, a special animated short film based on the biography of the Gajapati titled “Lakhe Rajara Maudamani: Gajapatinka Gaurabamaya Gatha” will be launched, which will serve as a primary medium to promote this great history of Odisha at the national level.
In the subsequent phase of the programme, two important panel discussions will be held. In the first panel discussion on the theme “Research and Education Renaissance in the Context of Odisha’s Glorious History”, independent researcher Deepak Kumar Nayak, former Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena, and Prof Kishore Kumar Basa will present their insights. Similarly, in the second panel discussion titled “From Regional Hero to National Icon”, Programme Manager of FIHCR Satyajit Ojha, National Award-winning film director Anupam Patnaik, and eminent poet, essayist & columnist Haraprasad Das will participate as key panelists.
Organisers envision June 29 not as a one-off celebration but as the foundation for an annual Gajapati Divas commemoration. Plans include instituting a named research award for scholars specialising in Odia epigraphy and history to encourage deeper academic engagement with this period.
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