Even as the Linguistic Committee of the Kendriya Sahitya Akademi is set to meet on Tuesday to consider the case for classical status to Odia language, the Utkal Sammilani has started to drum up support for the demand.
The organisation, while calling upon the MLAs and MPs to unitedly put forth the case before the Central Government, has urged the Odia community in Delhi to congregate before the office of Kendriya Sahitya Akademi on the day to press the demand.A memorandum on the origin and development of the Odia language along with its glorious literary and cultural heritage will be submitted to the President and Prime Minister as well as Governor and Chief Minister of Odisha seeking classical recognition for it, Coordinator Saroj Singh and senior member Dr Krupasindhu Panda said.
Odia language with its history dating to 1500 to 2000 years is most deserving to be accorded classical status. The ancient literature of Odia have been recorded as back as 3rd century BC. The language is not borrowed from any other linguistic stream or community and has been nurtured and developed through a vast body of literature. A comprehensive report on the language prepared by eminent linguist Devi Prasad Patnaik has been submitted to the Centre.Apart from Sanskrit, four Dravidian languages of Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam have been accorded classical status.
“As the demand for classical recognition to Odia language is backed by strong evidence, the Centre should take expeditious steps in the direction,” Dr Panda said.
A resolution in this connection was passed at a convention of the Sammilani in the presence of president Prof Sanatan Rath, Prof KC Biswal and Prof Baishnab Samal among others.