Odisha Channel Bureau
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Heritage Cabinet has passed a resolution asking the Centre to accord classical status to Odissi music on the lines of the position granted to Hindustani and Carnatic music.
State Culture Minister Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi said while the Centre had recognized Odissi dance as a classical dance in 1964 and Odia language as a classical language in 2014, it was yet to accord the same recognition to Odissi music.
The State government had recognised Odissi music as classical form of music in 2008.
Odissi music, like Odissi dance, is not only very ancient but also has its own characteristic features to be reckoned as a classical music form, said Panigrahi justifying the State government’s demand for Odissi music.
Odissi music has its own tradition, texts, ragas, talas, gita and classical style of recital, Panigrahi argued.
The Heritage Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday also announced key decisions for promotion and preservation of Odia language, literature and culture.
The major decisions include separate and autonomous Directorates for proper functioning of Odisha State Archaeology and Odisha State Museum.
Besides, financial amount awarded to selected artists by the Culture Department has been augmented.
The amount for Atibadi Jagannath Das Samman, Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja Samman, Dharmapada Samman and Byasakabi Fakir Mohan Samman has been increased from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 5 lakh.
The Heritage Cabinet also decided that the existing vacancies at academies, institution and centres of Culture Department will be filled up through transparent process of widely publicised advertisements, if necessary, through a nomination process.
