Bhuabneswar, (Thestates.news)| The three day First World Odia Language Conference beginning here from February 3, will showcase a well curated exhibition of Odisha’s glorious past, the transformative present and the aspirational future. Official sources here on Wednesday said the conference will have 16 academic sessions on various topics connected to Odia language, literature and cultural heritage. There will also be a special session on Jagannath Consciousness.
A session on future aspect and opportunities for Odia language will be discussed in the session titles as “Odisha @2036: A Space for Tomorrow
Many International scholars like -Padmashree Prof. Herman Kulke, Prof. Uwe Skoda, Prof. Arlo Griffths, Prof. Annette Achmiedchen and many nationally reputed scholars will participate in the deliberations.
Dr. Debiprasanna Pattanayak will be felicitated with the LifeTime Achievement Award for his contribution to Odia Language and Linguistics.Apart from this Jnanpith Award winners, Padma Awardees, Sahitya Akademi Awardees, Kabir Samman Awardees , winners of highest Awards of State Academies will also be felicitated.
An exhibition will be organised on three broader themes and timelines namely -Ancient, Medieval and Modern. In the exhibition, the evolution and development of Odia language and script, Ancient Rock Edicts, Copper plate, Palm Leaf Manuscripts, Kalinga Style of Temple Architecture, Maritime and Trade contacts of Odisha will be highlighted with artifacts and paintings
The renaissance of Odia Literature during the Medieval period will be showcased and the Art & Craft Traditions, Dances and Music traditions will be highlighted.
The conference will not only deliberate on this issue but also will give a glimpse of initiatives being taken to take Odia Language to the World at large.
It includes showcasing Odia Virtual Academy, plans for increasing pages of Odia in Wikipedia and Odia Fonts. Odia’s Journey towards the digital age will be on display.
In order to promote reading habits among school children and youngsters, a concept of “Asa Padhiba” will be highlighted through a mobile library bus and mobile book cart .
The contribution made by various personalities of the past will be commemorated through busts and paintings. The Odia signatures of prominent personalities will be displayed.
A commemorative postal stamp will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in the inaugural session of the conference.
A life-size ‘Konark Horse’ replica statue will occupy the central stage as a symbolism.
On the sidelines of the conference in international poetry festival will be organised by KIIT, Bhubaneswar, International Literary Festival will be organized by SOA University, Odia Film& Theatre Festival will be Organized by Ravenshaw University with panel discourse on ‘ Role of Odia Cinema & theatre for development of Odia Language & Literature’.
Apart from this a city-festival captioned “Ekamra Utsav ‘will also be organised by Bhubaneswar Development Authority and Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation.
To coincide with the conference a special ‘Gram Sabha’ will be organized in all Panchayats involving people interested in Odia Language and Literary activities. At Block-Levels also these programmes will be conducted.
Instructions have been issued for proper up-keep and paying of Tribute for the Statues and memorials of the important Personalities and Baraputras of Odisha.
The state government has sought the whole hearted cooperation of the people of Odisha, the entire ‘Odisha Paribar’ living inside and outside the country for making the conference a memorable one.(UNI)