Bhubaneswar: "The dream of generations became reality when our scattered lands united under one identity - Odia," recalls 87-year-old Binapani Mohanty, whose grandfather participated in the Utkala Sammilani movement that eventually led to the formation of Odisha. As the eastern state celebrates another Utkala Diwas on April 1, it marks not just provincial pride but a pioneering achievement in India's linguistic and cultural history.
Ninety years ago, on April 1, 1936, Odisha (then spelled Orissa) made history by becoming India's first state formed on a linguistic basis - a precedent that would later inspire the reorganization of Indian states after independence. Today, Odias worldwide commemorate this landmark achievement that preserved their distinct cultural and linguistic identity after decades of struggle.
The journey toward a unified Odia-speaking state was long and arduous. Before 1936, Odia-speaking regions were fragmented and scattered across different provinces, primarily under Bengal Presidency, Bihar and Orissa Province, Madras Presidency, and the Central Provinces. This fragmentation threatened the very survival of Odia language and culture.
"My grandfather used to tell us how Odia was once disparagingly called 'a language of cowherds' by Bengali administrators who wanted to impose Bengali in schools," shares Debaprasad Patnaik, a 72-year-old retired professor from Cuttack. "The struggle to protect our mother tongue is what sparked the whole movement."
Indeed, historical records confirm that in the late 19th century, there were systematic attempts to replace Odia with Bengali in educational institutions. This existential threat galvanized Odia intellectuals and leaders to launch a movement for unification.
At the forefront of this linguistic renaissance was Utkal Gourav Madhusudan Das, fondly remembered as "Madhu Babu," who founded the Utkal Sammilani (Utkal Conference) in 1903. The organization became the primary platform advocating for the amalgamation of all Odia-speaking territories under a single administration.
"Madhu Babu understood that without administrative unity, our cultural identity would slowly erode," explains Dr. Sagarika Mishra, historian at Utkal University. "He famously said, 'Odia language is not just a medium of communication, but the soul of an ancient civilization.'"
The movement gained momentum with the support of other prominent leaders like Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das, Fakir Mohan Senapati, and Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati of Paralakhemundi, who played a crucial role in negotiations with the British authorities.
For ordinary Odias, the struggle was deeply personal. Nrusingha Charan Behera, a 91-year-old freedom fighter from Balasore, recounts his earliest memories: "I was just a child when my father would walk miles to attend Utkal Sammilani meetings. Sometimes they would face opposition, even arrests, but the dream of Odisha kept them going."
After decades of persistent advocacy, the British government finally appointed the Philip-Duff Committee in 1924 to investigate the possibility of creating a separate province. Following favorable recommendations and further negotiations, Odisha officially became a separate province on April 1, 1936.
"What many don't realize is that Odisha set the template for what would later become the national policy of linguistic reorganization of states after independence," notes Dr. Mishra. "When the States Reorganization Commission was formed in 1953, they looked at the Odisha model as a successful precedent."
This historical achievement is a point of immense pride for Odias. Sarojini Sahoo, 67, an award-winning Odia writer, shares: "When I travel internationally and tell people Odisha was India's first linguistic state, they're often surprised. Our contribution to India's federal structure deserves wider recognition."
The celebration of Utkala Diwas extends beyond historical remembrance. In Bhubaneswar, cultural performances, seminars, and exhibitions mark the occasion. Schools organize special programs to educate younger generations about their heritage.
"I learn something new about our history every Utkala Diwas," says 15-year-old Ananya Tripathy, who participated in her school's cultural program. "This year, I performed an Odissi dance piece that tells the story of our state's formation. It makes me proud of where I come from."
For the Odia diaspora, the day holds special significance. Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, who leads an Odia cultural association in Bangalore, says: "We organize a 'mini-Odisha' celebration every April 1st. Nearly 500 Odias gather to reconnect with our roots through food, music, and literature. It's our way of keeping the flame alive away from home."
State officials emphasize that Utkala Diwas isn't merely about looking back. Chief Minister's office released a statement highlighting how the same spirit of unity drives modern Odisha's development vision: "From being known primarily for cyclones and poverty, today's Odisha has transformed into a leader in disaster management, sports infrastructure, and industrial growth."
As the sun sets on another Utkala Diwas, the essence of what Madhusudan Das and his contemporaries fought for remains vibrant in the hearts of Odias. Their struggle ensured that a language once dismissively called "a dialect of cowherds" would stand tall as the official language of a proud state, setting a precedent that would help shape the federal character of independent India.
In the words of Binapani Mohanty, who has witnessed much of independent India's history: "Languages are rivers that carry civilizations forward. By creating Odisha, our forefathers ensured that the Odia river would continue to flow, nourishing future generations with the wisdom of our ancestors."
