The 11th edition of ‘Odisha Manaska’, a monthly forum organised by ‘All Things Odisha’, featured a lively discussion on the Monsoon—its beauty, benefits, and challenges in shaping Odisha’s identity.
The topic of the session, “Monsoon Melody: Kebe Khusi Kebe Tragedy” (How the Monsoon has Shaped Odisha’s Identity), explored various aspects of the Monsoon, from its romantic appeal to its essential role in forming the socio-economic and cultural backbone of Odisha.
Around 20 participants from diverse backgrounds gathered to share their thoughts, ideas, insights, and, most importantly, their lived experiences, contributing to a collective understanding. A good monsoon sustains agriculture, which is the lifeline of Odisha’s socio-economic landscape.
Conversely, a poor monsoon can lead to drought and famine, as exemplified by the Na’anka famine in Odisha. Additionally, destructive monsoons can result in flooding and cyclones that significantly impact the state.
The resilience demonstrated by the Odia people in the face of these monsoon-related adversities was highlighted and praised during the session.
The discussion was led by Sandip Bal and Sonali Priyadarsini, and attended by notable figures, including food researcher Ritu Pattnaik, writer and heritage expert Anil Dhir, and Pranay Manjari, Director of Safe Odisha For Her, among others.
Participants also suggested that Odisha should promote monsoon tourism, as the state has significant potential in this area.
Kshitish Panda, a student from TISS Mumbai, commended the discussion and the forum for bringing various perspectives on Odisha and Odia identity, noting that he gained nuanced insights into the monsoon’s melody and challenges.
