The Odisha Heritage Cabinet, in a meeting chaired by CM Naveen Patnaik, has announced critical reforms for promotion and preservation of Odia language, literature and culture. This includes separate and autonomous directorates for the proper functioning of Odisha State Archaeology and Odisha State Museum.
Here are some of the key highlights from the meeting:
- The cabinet passed a resolution to appeal to the union government for designating ‘classical status’ to Odissi music. As a tribute to Odissi’s rich cultural heritage, the Odisha Government had recognised it as a classical form of music in 2008. Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi, minister for tourism, Odia literature, language & culture, said while centre recognised Odissi dance as a classical dance in 1964 and Odia language as a classical language in 2014, the music form is yet to find the same recognition.
- To publicise the antique treasures of the State Museum amongst the global audience, a virtual entity of the museums will be created by the help of digitisation. Similar modernisation efforts have been approved for implementation in the Anand Bhavan Museum.
- Paying tribute to Pandit Gopabandhu Das and his contributions, the state government will take up the task of holistic development of his birthplace Suando by establishing a project involving funds worth approximately ₹11 crores.
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- To encourage artists, the monetary amount awarded by the Department of Culture has been increased. The amount for Atibadi Jagannath Das Samman, Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja Samman, Dharmapada Samman & Byasakabi Fakir Mohan Samman now stands between ₹1 Lakh to ₹5 Lakh.
- The current vacancies at academies, institutions and centres of the Department of Culture to be filled through a transparent method of widely publicised advertisements, and when required, through a public nomination process.