In a vibrant celebration of Odia language, literature, and culture, the Odisha Sahitya Mahotsav and National Youth Literary Conference-2026 unfolded today at the sprawling campus of Sri Jagannath Sanskrit University in Puri.
Organised under the aegis of the Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department in collaboration with the Odisha Sahitya Akademi and the Akhil Bharatiya Sahitya Parishad, the event brought together scholars, writers, and young literary enthusiasts from across the state and beyond.
Odisha’s Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj graced the occasion as the chief guest. In his inspiring address, the Minister described Odia as the very identity of the people. “The history of Odia literature is rich and its future is bright,” he said. He paid tribute to the countless literary masters whose pens have enriched the language over centuries, noting that Odia literature has always mirrored the realities of society — from ancient times to the present era of artificial intelligence.
Minister Suraj emphasised the crucial role of the Odisha Sahitya Mahotsav in promoting and preserving the state’s language, literature, culture, and traditions. He urged young writers of Odisha to continue their tireless efforts in safeguarding and propagating literature and culture for generations to come.
The day-long programme featured insightful discussions on topics such as “The Poetic Diversity of Upendra Bhanja,” “The Distinctive Features of Jagannath Das’s Bhagabata Translation,” and “National Consciousness in 21st-Century Literature.”
Prominent personalities present included Dr. Chandra Sekhar Hota, Secretary of the Odisha Sahitya Akademi; Professor Prabhat Kumar Mohapatra, Vice-Chancellor of Sri Jagannath Sanskrit University; Professor Satya Narayan Acharya, Vice-Chancellor of Odia University; Dr. Abhay Kumar Nayak, President of the Akhil Bharatiya Sahitya Parishad; Dr. Santosh Kumar Mohapatra, General Secretary of the Parishad; and Dr. Dilip Kumar Swain, Head of the Department of Odia Language and Literature at Samanta Chandra Sekhar Autonomous College.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Shri Ramakrishna Tripathy, Secretary of the Akhil Bharatiya Sahitya Parishad.
The event reaffirmed Odisha’s deep-rooted literary tradition while inspiring the next generation of writers to carry the torch forward.
