The Utkal Sammilani on Thursday expressed its gratitude to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and his Council of Ministers for allocating funds for development of Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das’ native Suando village and recommending to the Union Government for accordance of classical status to Odishi Music.
“The Utkal Sammilani had been placing a demand for classical tag to the Odishi music for long. Besides, it had proposed to the Government many times for development of Utkalmani’s birthplace. Even a team of representatives had visited Suando in 2019 and then requested the Government for its development. Finally, demands have been fulfilled. Thanks to the Chief Minister and his Government,” said Sammilani’ Mancheshwar Industrial president Dillip Dashsharma.
The Sammilani’s Central Committee too welcomed the Heritage Cabinet’s decision.
“Accordance of classical status to Odishi Music is a longstanding demand. Now, the State Government has made the recommendation. It will be easy for passing a resolution for accordance of the classical status to Odishi music at the national level,” hoped central committee general secretary Dr Radhanath Praharaj.
Praharaj also demanded that the Government take more steps for wide use of classical Odia language by Government and Private organisations.