Odia people

Last updated

Odias
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଲୋକ (Odiā Lōka)
Gajapati empire flag.png
Total population
45 million
Regions with significant populations
Flag of India.svg  India 44,033,000 (2021)
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 170,000 [1]
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 130,000 [2]
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 80,000 [3]
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 40,000 [4]
Languages
Odia
Religion
Predominantly:
Om.svg Hinduism
Minorities:
Related ethnic groups
Indo-Aryan people , Bonaz people
Lord Jagannath Jagannath during 2011.jpg
Lord Jagannath

The Odia (ଓଡ଼ିଆ), formerly spelled Oriya, are an Indo-Aryan ethno-linguistic group native to the Indian state of Odisha who speak the Odia language. They constitute a majority in the eastern coastal state, with significant minority populations existing in the neighboring states of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and West Bengal. [5]

Contents

History

Entrance of the Hathigumpha Hathigumpha.JPG
Entrance of the Hathigumpha

Medieval period

The Shailodbhava dynasty ruled the region from the sixth to the eighth century. They built the Parashurameshvara Temple in the 7th century, which is the oldest known temple in Bhubaneswar. The ruled Odisha from the 8th to the 10th century. They built several Buddhist monasteries and temples, including Lalitgiri, Udayagiri and Baitala Deula. The Keshari dynasty ruled from the 9th to the 12th century. The Lingaraj Temple, Mukteshvara Temple and Rajarani Temple in Bhubaneswar were constructed during the Bhauma-Kara dynasty. [6] They were introduced as a new style of architecture in Odisha, and the dynasty's rule shifted from Buddhism to Brahmanism. [7]

Modern period

Odisha remained an independent regional power until the early 16th century. It was conquered by the Mughals under Akbar in 1568 and was thereafter subject to a succession of Mughal and Maratha rule before coming under British control in 1803. [8]

In 1817, a combination of high taxes, administrative malpractice by the zamindars and dissatisfaction with the new land laws led to a revolt against Company rule breaking out, which many Odias participated in. The rebels were led by General Jagabandhu Bidyadhara Mohapatra Bhramarbara Raya. [9] [10]

Under Maratha control, major Odia regions were transferred to the rulers of Bengal that resulted in successive decline of the language over the course of time in vast regions that stretched until today's Midnapore district of West Bengal. [11] [ better source needed ]

Odisha became a separate province and the first officially recognized language-based state of India in 1936, after the amalgamation of the Odia regions from Bihar and Orissa Province, Madras Presidency and Chhattisgarh Division was successfully executed. 26 Odia princely states, including Sadheikala-Kharasuan in today's Jharkhand, also signed a merger with the newly formed state, while many major Odia-speaking areas were left out due to political incompetence. [12]

Communities

The Odia people are subdivided into several communities such as the Brahmin, Karan, Jyotish, Khandayat, Gopal, Kumuti , Chasa, Bania, Kansari, Gudia, Patara, Tanti, Teli, Badhei , Kamara, Barika, Mali, Kumbhar, Siyal, [13] Sundhi, Keuta, Dhoba, Bauri, Kandara, Domba, Pano, & Hadi. [14]

Culture

Cuisine

Seafood and sweets dominate Odia cuisine. Rice is the staple cereal and is eaten throughout the day. Popular Odia dishes are rasagolla, rasabali, chhena poda, chhena kheeri, chhena jalebi, chenna jhilli, chhenagaja, khira sagara, dalma, tanka torani and pakhala. [15] [16]

Festivals

A wide variety of festivals are celebrated throughout the year; There is a saying in Odia, ‘Baarah maase, terah parba’, that there are 13 festivals in a year. Well known festivals that are popular among the Odia people include the Ratha Yatra, Durga Puja, Rajo, Maha Shivratri, Kartika Purnima, Dola Purnima, Ganesh Puja, Chandan Yatra, Snana Yatra, Makar Mela, Chhau Festival, and Nuakhai. [17]

Religion

Odisha is one of the most religiously and ethnically homogeneous states in India. More than 94% of the people are followers of Hinduism. [18] Hinduism in Odisha is more significant due to the specific Jagannath culture followed by Odia Hindus due to independent rule of Odia Hindu kings Hinduism flourished in the eastern coastal region under patronage of the hindu kings arts, literature, maritime trade, vedic rituals were given importance. The practices of the Jagannath sect is popular in the state and the annual Ratha Yatra in Puri draws pilgrims from across India. [19]

Notable people

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Odia language</span> Indic language

Odia is an Indo-Aryan classical language spoken in the Indian state of Odisha. It is the official language in Odisha, where native speakers make up 82% of the population, and it is also spoken in parts of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Odia is one of the many official languages of India; it is the official language of Odisha and the second official language of Jharkhand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jagannath</span> Regional form of the Hindu deity Krishna

Jagannatha is a deity worshipped in regional Hindu traditions in India as part of a triad along with his (Krishna's) brother Balabhadra, and sister, Subhadra. Jagannath, within Odia Hinduism, is the supreme god, Purushottama, and the Para Brahman. To most Vaishnava Hindus, particularly the Krishnaites, Jagannath is a form of Krishna, sometimes as the avatar of Vishnu. To some Shaiva and Shakta Hindus, he is a symmetry-filled tantric form of Bhairava, a fierce manifestation of Shiva associated with annihilation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bhubaneswar</span> City in Odisha, India

Bhubaneswar is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Odisha. It is located in the Khordha district. It is a modern sports hub and emerging IT hub. The suburban region, especially the old town, was historically often depicted as Chakra Khetra and Ekamra Khetra. Bhubaneswar is dubbed the "Temple City", a nickname earned because of many temples which are standing there.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rasgulla</span> Syrupy dessert popular in South Asia

Rasgulla is a syrupy dessert popular in the eastern part of South Asia. It is made from ball-shaped dumplings of chhena dough, cooked in light sugar syrup. This is done until the syrup permeates the dumplings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Puri district</span> District of Odisha in India

Puri district is a coastal district of the Odisha state of India. It has one sub-division, 11 tahasils and 11 blocks and comprises 1722 revenue villages. Puri is the only municipality of the district. Konark, Pipili, Satyabadi, Gop, Kakatpur and Nimapada are the NACs in this district while Brahmagiri being a semi-urban town.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rasabali</span> Sweet dish from Odisha, India

Rasabali is a sweet dish from Odisha, India. Rasabali is offered to Baladevjew, and originated in the Baladevjew Temple of Kendrapara. It is one of the Chapana bhoga of Jagannath temple. Kendrapara's Rasabali got GI tag on 3 October 2023.

Odia literature is literature written in the Odia language, mostly from the Indian state of Odisha. The modern Odia language is mostly formed from Tadbhava words with significant Sanskrit (Tatsama) influences, along with loanwords from Desaja, English, Hindustani (Hindi/Urdu), Persian, and Arabic. Its earliest written texts date from around 1000 CE. The earliest Odia newspaper was Utkala Deepika, first published on August 4, 1866.

Salabega was an Odia religious poet of India in the early 17th century who wrote Jagannatha bhajanas. He was Muslim by birth but his devotion for the Hindu God made Lord Jagannath stop his Ratha Jātrā in Odisha for him to get darshan. His famous Bhajan 'Ahe Nila Saila' lives to this day.

Odisha is one of the 28 states of India, located on the eastern coast. It is surrounded by the states of West Bengal to the northeast, Jharkhand to the north, Chhattisgarh to the west and northwest, and Andhra Pradesh to the south and southwest. Odia is the official and most widely spoken language, spoken by 33.2 million according to the 2001 Census. The modern state of Odisha was established on 1 April 1936, as a province in British India, and consisted predominantly of Odia-speaking regions. April 1 is celebrated as Odisha Day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cinema of Odisha</span>

Odia cinema, also known as Ollywood, is the segment of Indian cinema, dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Odia language widely spoken in the state of Odisha. Odia Cinema is based in Bhubaneshwar and Cuttack in Odisha, India. The name Ollywood is a portmanteau of the words Odia and Hollywood.

Odia diaspora are people of Odia ancestry residing outside the Indian state of Odisha.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Enduri pitha</span>

Enduri pitha, also known as Haldi patra pitha, is a variety of pitha made in the Indian state of Odisha mostly in the northern, eastern and central region. Ingredients are turmeric leaves, black gram, rice flour, coconut or Chhena, jaggery, black pepper. Enduri is mostly prepared during Prathamastami and Manabasa Gurubara. It is a light snack and has laxative effect because of the turmeric leaves that are used to wrap the pitha. Traditionally, enduri used to be made by steaming in large earthen pots. Enduri is one of the many other pithas offered to Jagannath in the Jagannath Temple, Puri for "Sakala dhupa" (breakfast).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee</span> Indian political party

The Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee(1921-2024) was the unit of the Indian National Congress for the state of Odisha. It is responsible for organizing and coordinating the party's activities and campaigns within the state, as well as selecting candidates for local, state, and national elections in Odisha.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dahuka boli</span>

Dahuka boli are poetic recitations which Dahukas, the charioteer who recite during the Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha. Ratha Yatra being a symbolic expression of fertility and Life cycle, these "boli" sung by the Dahuka contain bawdy songs. It is believed that unless the Dahuka boli is sung 'Ratha' doesn't move. These songs are sung publicly without any kind of hold on the lyrics. Dahuka controls the movement of Ratha during the festival. This tradition is the remnant of Vajrayana Buddhism in Odisha and the lyrics bear the signature of the Vajrayana Buddhist poetry. The Dahukas are believed to be the descends of the famous 84 Mahasiddhas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jagannath Prasad Das</span> Indian (Odia) Writer

Jagannath Prasad Das is an Indian writer, poet, painter, playwright and novelist who writes in Odia.

Gajapati Rāmachandra Deva I was the founder of the Bhoi dynasty of Khurda in Odisha, India. He became the ruler of Khurda kingdom after defeating Mukunda Deva in 1568. He claimed descent from the Yaduvanshi dynasty which features prominenetly in the Indian epic, Mahabharata. The Odia populace gave him the title of "Thakura Raja" as a mark of respect for renovating the damaged Hindu temples that were destroyed by the invasion of Kalapahad. He was titled as Vira Sri Gajapati Viradhi Viravara Pratapi Ramachandra Deva.

References

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