In a significant step toward digitizing and modernizing the promotion of Odisha’s rich artistic heritage, the Department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture has officially launched the ‘Ama Kalakara’ website.
The portal, accessible at amakalakara.odisha.gov.in, was inaugurated by Odisha Legislative Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy in Bhubaneswar.
The primary objective of the platform is to systematically engage cultural troupes across the state to showcase and spread Odisha’s traditional art forms and culture. By bringing the entire process online, the department aims to simplify workflows, enhance monitoring, and introduce complete transparency in the engagement of performing groups.
Key features of the website include mobile-based geo-tagging that allows real-time monitoring of performances. During cultural shows, geo-tagged photographs and 360-degree videos will be uploaded, enabling administrative officials to receive accurate, on-the-ground data instantly. This innovation is expected to significantly speed up the payment process for artists, reducing delays that have long been a concern in the sector.
Another major safeguard is the linking of artists’ Aadhaar cards on the portal. This measure will prevent the misuse of multiple engagements by the same individuals and ensure that only eligible and verified artists are selected for performances. The system is designed to create a robust, sequential, and fully transparent mechanism for issuing work orders to cultural groups.
Officials from the Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department stated that the operationalization of ‘Ama Kalakara’ will make the entire process of engaging cultural troupes and implementing cultural programmes far more transparent and efficient. The move is being seen as a progressive step that not only supports traditional artists but also strengthens the state’s efforts to preserve and promote its unique cultural identity in the digital age.
With this launch, Odisha has taken a forward-looking approach to blend technology with tradition, ensuring that the state’s vibrant cultural landscape continues to thrive with greater accountability and fairness.
