Bhubaneswar: Odisha on March 11 marked 12 years since Odia language was officially recognised as a Classical Language of India, a milestone that honours the language’s deep historical and cultural legacy.
On this day in 2014, the Union Cabinet of India granted Odia the prestigious Classical Language status, making it the sixth language in the country to receive the distinction after Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam.
However, the journey of the Odia language stretches far beyond the 2014 recognition. Scholars trace its roots back over a millennium through rock inscriptions, copper plate records and Talapatra palm leaf manuscripts, which preserved the region’s history, religious traditions and cultural knowledge.
Odia also holds a unique distinction as the first language from the Indo-Aryan linguistic family to be granted Classical Language status. Experts had highlighted that the language evolved with a distinct linguistic identity, developing independently over centuries.
The literary heritage of Odia has significantly shaped the cultural fabric of the region. Works such as the celebrated Gita Govinda by the 12th-century poet Jayadeva and the devotional writings of the Panchasakha continue to influence spiritual and literary traditions in eastern India.
As Odisha commemorates the anniversary, the day serves not only as a reminder of the language’s ancient roots but also as a celebration of the cultural identity, history and pride of millions of Odia-speaking people.
