When a Pattachitra artist from Raghurajpur picks up a mobile phone and speaks directly to a global audience—not through a journalist, not through a curator, but in her own voice—something fundamental shifts. That transformation has been at the heart of the past six days.
The #MoOdishaStory campaign, launched by Pluc.TV in partnership with community creators across Odisha associated with Sampark Organisation, concluded its flagship training programme today in Puri. Over six intensive days, 100 digital creators and 100 artisans came together to master one essential skill: how to tell their own stories, in their own voices, and on their own terms.
The training was not designed to turn artisans into influencers or creators into spokespersons. Instead, it focused on something deeper and more enduring—equipping the people closest to Odisha’s living traditions with the tools to document, narrate, and share what they already know better than anyone else. Participants learned to create compelling content across digital platforms, developing stories rooted in culture, craft, livelihoods, and the everyday realities of a state undergoing remarkable transformation.
That transformation is significant. Odisha’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) has crossed ₹9.9 lakh crore. Major investment commitments are projected to generate nearly 12.9 lakh jobs. The state’s solar capacity has exceeded 706 MW, with an ambitious target of 10 GW of renewable energy by 2030. From solar-powered irrigation systems in Kalahandi to electrified schools in Koraput, a new Odisha is being built from the ground up—and its stories deserve to be told with the same vision and ambition.
Odisha is also home to more than 65 officially recognised art forms and nearly 1.3 lakh artisans. The state has produced more National Award-winning craftspeople than any other in India. Yet for decades, these traditions have often been spoken about rather than being allowed to speak for themselves. The 200 participants who completed this training are now prepared to change that narrative.
Santosh Kumar Sethi, Deputy Director, I & PR, Puri dist highlighted the significance of the initiative, stating, “The results of years of research by artists, poets, and entrepreneurs should reach people outside Odisha through positive narratives.” The training was specifically designed to serve as that bridge, transforming deep local knowledge into stories capable of reaching audiences around the world.
Padmanav Panda Retired Bureaucrat echoed this sentiment, saying, “The hidden treasure of Odisha lies in its art, architecture, literature, tourism, cuisine, and textiles. These treasures should be shared with the outside world, and storytellers will be the torchbearers.” That is precisely who emerged from these training sessions: torchbearers. Weavers from Nuapatna can now script and shoot reels about Ikat weaving.
Omm Priyadarshi Advisor, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Govt. of India noted that the campaign aims to “unlock authentic voices and spark a cultural revelation,” positioning Odisha as a state that remains deeply rooted in heritage while confidently advancing toward a dynamic future.
Saumendra Das, General Secretary of Sampark, stated that this initiative will greatly benefit local artists by providing them with a wider platform to showcase their talent and creativity. Through this effort, their artistic skills and unique works will reach broader audiences, helping more people appreciate and understand their contributions to art and culture. The initiative will also open new opportunities for recognition, collaboration, and economic support, enabling artists to preserve and promote their traditional and contemporary art forms with greater confidence and visibility.
Abhishek Raj reflected on the six-day programme, saying, “Odisha has more stories than storytellers—until now. This campaign places the tools in the hands of the people closest to both the culture and the change.”
