‘Oriya is a rich language, steps should be taken to popularise it’
| Date :10-Nov-2019 |
By Vikas Vaidya :
Oriya is a rich and and probably one of the oldest languages of the world. It is said that the language is very much close to Sanskrit. According to experts, not so aggressive efforts are being taken to promote the language. If Oriya culture, literature, music is promoted, the language can be popularised. With a view to know what efforts are being taken to promote Oriya language, ‘The Hitavada’ talked to a senior officer, teachers, social worker who threw light on the measures been taken by several organisations, and also put some suggestions in that regard. Anup Kumar Satpathy, President of Oriya Samaj and Chief General Manager of Central Region, Container Corporation of India Limited, very proudly described Oriya language. He said, “Tuition classes to teach this one of the classical languages, old languages is one solution. This language is close to Sanskrit, it has its own script.
We have Oriya library in our office. We invite dignitaries who can speak Oriya language, we also hold cultural programmes, musical programmes all are related to Oriya language. In our every meeting of Oriya Samaj, we see to it that every minute interaction should be held in Oriya. I feel India’s local languages should not be neglected. Several interactions, through letter writing, music programmes, cultural programmes, movies we try to popularise Oriya langaugae. We also distribute CD in which several things are stored which can be listened by the families during their get-together.” “State governments of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal provide aid to their respective languages. Teachers appointed are given proper salary. We studied in Oriya.
Oriya State Government also promotes Oriya in a wide manner. In many countries of the world many people are of Oriya. They celebrate Oriya festivals which is also a good medium through which the language can be popularised,” suggested Satpathy. Dr B K Swain, Head, Department of Sociology, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) has left Odisha then Orissa 40 years ago and now settled in Nagpur. He goes to Odisha once in five years. Swain family hardly speaks in Oriya at home. They mostly speak in Hindi. Of course, whenever they come across with people from Odisha, they speak in the mother tongue. “I personally feel some serious efforts can be taken to promote Oriya language. Orissa associations should take steps to popularise, to let know other people about Oriya culture, literature, and the essence of the language.
Oriya Samaj has its office in Kukde Layout where Jagannath Mandir also is situated. In Kukde Layout, there is a cultural centre also. Through this centre the importance of Oriya language is spread. A magazine ‘We’ devoted to Oriya language was published and I was the editor of it. It was a good idea. ‘We’ explained every minute details of Orissa. Such magazines can help in popularising Oriya in society,” pointed out Dr Swain. “We attend Oriyan functions, programmes. My daughter performs Odissi dance. In Nagpur also several programmes are held to promote Oriya. Oriya folk dance is the speciality of Orissa state. As, there is department of Marathi in universities, I feel every State university should have Department of Oriya language,” demanded Dr Swain.
Ganesh Das, Secretary of Oriya Samaj, elaborated the efforts being taken by Oriya Samaj to popularise Oriya language, “We always try to promote Oriya culture, tradition and art. In Jaganath Mandir, we organise spiritual, religious programmes and appeal people of Orissa residing in Nagpur to participate in large number. Musical programme also are organised as we want our children to speak in Oriya. The classes of Oriyan language are stared in Bengaluru. In Nagpur, too, we will start such classes. In our annual general meeting we decided to read reports in Oriya language. Reports of last two years I read in Oriyan. We are planning to start Oriyan school where everybody will be taught Oriya and classes would be conducted on the lines of Sanskar Shibir.
On coming November 17, Odissi dance programme will be held which is worth to watched by everybody.” Abhay Kumar Das, former General Secretary of Oriya Samaj, expressed regret over not much efforts are been taken to keep Oriya language alive. “In our family, we have made it a point to speak in Oriya. I think more efforts are to be taken. Youngsters or school children should be taught Oriya by conducting classes. Detail information about noted literatteurs of Oriya should be told to our youngsters. They would be taught about rich culture of Orissa. Until we tell them they would not be able to know. Then they would also take interest. Oriya musical programme can be major attraction. The samaj do invite Oriyan artists so that new generation should know about Oriyan traditions and culture,” informed A K Das.