Situated on the coast along the Bay of Bengal, Orissa stands for its ancient
glory and modern endeavour. Endowed with nature's bounty, a 482 km stretch of
coastline with virgin beaches, serpentine rivers, mighty waterfalls, forest-clad
blue hills of Eastern Ghats with rich wild life, Orissa is dotted with exquisite
temples, historic monuments as well as pieces of modern engineering feat. The
land, while retaining its pristine glory, also offers the visitors modern
amenities.
Its lush green countryside and fertile plains, tiny hamlets fringed with palm,
coconut trees and mango groves offer the charm of rural beauty while the urban
pockets, the four cities in particular, with the splendour of modern technology
provide the amenities necessary for a comfortable stay. This wonderful land of
fascinating beauty boasts of colourful festivals round the year. Orissa is also
the land of unique handicrafts and other excellent artefacts.
Orissa has a long tradition of art and architecture. The early monuments date
back to the third century B.C. The remnant of an Ashokan pillar, turned into a
Siva Lingam and enshrined in the Bhaskaresvara temple at Bhubaneswar and the
lion capital of an Ashokan pillar, presently in the State Museum, speak volumes
of Orissa's past glory. The rock-cut caves of Khandagiri and Udaygiri and the
inscriptions recording Kharavela's short but eventful reign during the first
century B.C. constitute the second phase of the evolution in Orissan art. The
Naga and Yaksha images found in places around Bhubaneswar belong to the post-Kharavela
era. The fortification of Sisupalgarh near Bhubaneswar is yet another monument
of ancient Orissa.
Orissa is also known for her exquisite handicrafts. Silver filigree work of
Cuttack, horn work of Cuttack and Parlakhemundi and the famous applique work of
Pipili deserve special mention. Pattachitra, a form of folk painting of Orissa,
is a unique craft. Brass and bell metalware, particularly vases and candle
stands, are beautiful and longlasting. The blackstone bowls and plates of
Nilagiri and Khiching and multi-coloured stone statues are other attractions.
Silk and cotton handloom products, especially saris are simply bewitching. The
Sambalpuri saris and Maniabandhi patas are matchless in their texture and
designs.
Fairs & Festivals
Every state has its own festivals and rituals. Orissa being a land of ancient
and sacred temples, and a state where three religions flourished, is thronged by
pilgrims throughout the year. There are a large number of fairs and festivals
celebrated in the state. There are festivals relating to each religion, tribal
festivals, festivals relating to Lord Jagannath, the presiding deity of the Puri
Temple, and many seasonal exhibitions and fairs as well as special festivals
such as the Konark Festival, the Rajarani Music Festival, the Puri Beach
Festival etc..
Orissa boasts of a long and rich cultural
heritage. Due to the reigns of many different rulers in the past, the culture,
arts and crafts of the state underwent many changes, imitations, assimilations
and new creations, from time to time. The artistic skill of the Orissan
artists is unsurpassable in the world. The discovery that traditional artists
still live and work throughout Orissa, producing various objects in many
media, is an exciting part of any visit to the state.
Patta Chitra :- Besides mural paintings, we get miniature paintings,
which are called patta chitras. Pattas are now used as wall hangings. The
subject matter of Patta paintings is limited to religious themes. The stories
of Rama and Krishna are usually depicted on the pattas. "Rasa Lila", "Vastra
Haran", "Kaliya Dalan" are some of the recurring themes of Patta art.
Sand Arts :- In Orissa ,a unique type of art form is developed at Puri
. But it spreads all over the world . To carve a sand sculpture , the raw
material is the only clean and fine grained sand mixed with water . With the
help of this type of sand and with the blessings of God and by the magic of
fingures , an artist can carve a beautiful and attractive sculpture on the
beach.
Paintings :- Orissa has an age old tradition
of Painting which stretches from the prehistoric rock shelters to the temples
and mathas of this century. Out of these the traditional painters , the tribal
painter , the folk and rock painters are of significance.
Palm Leaf Paintings :- Palm leaf paintings are very ancient in Orissa.In
Orissa the Palm Leaf illustrations are mainly of two types, simple engravings or
illustrations in pure line on palm leaf and engraving with colour fillings. In
these engravings, colours are muted and play a very minor part. Where colours
are at all applied, they are just painted either to emphasize the inscriptions,
or to fill up blank space.
Jhoti, Chita, Muruja :- The folk art of Orissa is bound up with its
social and religious activities. In the month of Margasira, women folk worship
the goddess Lakshmi. It is the harvest season when grain is thrashed and stored.
During this auspicious occasion, the mud walls and floors are decorated with
murals in white rice paste or pithau.
Orissa Dance &
Music
Odissi Music is a classical form consisting of all
the necessary ingredients common to Hindustani and Karnatic Music, such as rags
and tala Jayadeva' was the first Oriya poet who composed lyrics meant to be sung
and thus the words of those Lyrics were musical to start with. In addition he
indicated the classical ragas prevailing At the time in which these were to be
sung.
Prior to this there was the tradition Of chhandas which were simple in musical
outline. From the 16th century onwards Treatises on music were written or
compiled in Orissa. They were Sangitamava Chandrika, Gita Prakasha, Sangita
Kalalata and Natya Manorama. Two treatises namely, Sangita Sarani and Sangita
Narayana were also written in the early 19th century.
Odissi sangita is a synthesis of four classes of music, i.e. dhruvapada,
chitrapada, chitrakala and panchal, described in the above-mentioned texts. The
dhruvapada is the first line or lines to be sung repeatedly. The use of art in
music is called chitikala. Kavisurya Baladeva Rath, the renowned Oriya poet
wrote lyrics which are the best examples of chitrakala.
Chitrapada means the arrangement of words in an alliterative style. All these
were combined to form the style peculiar to Odissi music. Chhanda (metrical
section) contains the essence of Odissi music. The chhandas were composed
combining bhava (theme), kala (time), and swara (tune) The chaurisha represents
the originality of Odissi style. All the thirty-four letters of the Oriya
alphabet from 'Ka' to 'Ksha' are used chronologically at the beginning of each
line. A special feature of Odissi music is the padi which consists of words to
be sung in druta tala (fast beat). Odissi music can be sung to different talas:
navatala nine beats), dashatala(ten beats) or egar tala (eleven beats).
Odissi ragas are different from the ragas of Hindustani and Karnataki music. The
chief Odissi ragas are Kalyana, Nata, Shree Gowda, Baradi, Panchama, Dhanashri,
Karnata, Bhairavee and Shokabaradi.
Thus we see, that classical Odissi music lacks nothing in grammar, rhetoric or
composition to compare with Hindustani or Karnataki styles. It owes much to
Jayadev, the saint-poet, the great composer and illustrious master of classical
music.
The greatest exponents of Odissi music in modern times are the late Singhari
Shyamasundar Kar, Markeandeya Mahapatra, Kashinath Pujapanda, Balakirshan Das,
Bhubaneswari Misra and Shymamani Devi. Who have achieved eminence in classical
music include among others Sunanda Patnaik.
Odissi Dance :- Odissi dance is the typical classical dance form of
Orissa and has its origin in the temples. The rhythm, the bhangis and mudras
used in Odissi dance have a distinctive quality of their own. Odissi dance deals
largely with the love theme of Radha and Krishna. It is a lyrical form of dance
with its subtelety as its keynote.
Mahari Dance :- Mahari Tradition of the Sri Mandira is the beautiful
Parijata flower of art an history of Utkal. It also makes living by its
fragrance and the touch of nationl. It has been doing so far from the time
immoral. It has made the art of Utkala glorious Mahari tradition is the same and
one union of Lord Jagannath and great Nari Mahari.
Folk Dances :- The Jatra. Pala and Daskarhia represent important aspects
of Orissan folk culture form an integral part of the lives of the rural folk.
Today television s these programmes, thus making the city people conversant with
these folk art forms. Jatra, corresponds to folk theatre. It is the enactment of
a play with a cast and comprises music, dance, acting, singing and dramatic
conflict.
Chhau Dance :- Chhau is an ancient dance form. It originated in the mock
fights of the Oriya paikas (warriors) who fought rhythmically to the
accompaniment of indigenous music instruments The highly Stylised Chhau dance of
today follow the basic principle of the Natya Shastra of Bharat Muni and the
Abhinaya Darpana of Nandikeswara.
Orissa Beaches
Not only does the bracing and invigorating climate of Orissa add freshness to
the soul, its beaches too add a slice of serenity in environs that are conducive
to introspection and conviviality. Orissa has such beaches where the waves speak
volumes. One can spend hours soaking in the sun, surfing or just frolicing in
the lovely blue waters.
Gopalpur-on-Sea
Hardly 16 km from Berhampur, the club of Southern Orissa, is the tiny town of
Gopalpur on the Bay of Bengal. Enjoying the reputation of being a popular Beach
Resort of Orissa, the deep and clear blue waters instantly provoke those who are
good swimmers.
Chandipur Beach
Chandipur (16 kms) away from Balasore Railway Station on Howrah-Madras line of
South Eastern ( S.E.) Railways annique beach where the sea water recedes about 5
kms during low-tide and advances to the shore line again during high-tides each
day. An ideal beach resort of Orissa.
Puri Beach
For centuries now, the beach at Puri has been the venue of countless pilgrims
taking the traditional purification dip for Puri is the abode of Lord Jagannath
and it is considered one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage destination.
However, for decades now, both Indian and foreign beach lovers have made it
their special haunt.
Wildlife in Orissa
One of the greatest benefits of Orissa ‘s vast expanses of unspoilt natural
landscape has been its ability to offer a
protected yet natural habitat to the
state’s incredible wildlife.There are many wildlife sancturies which are home to
a wide variety of flora and fauna ,bird life reptiles and water creatures.Some
of the most important experiments of wildlife conservation are taking place in
these natural habitat, giving the tourists an excellent opportunity to see
nature’s bounty, propagated.
Similipal Tiger Reserve : Thick and green forests, extensive grassy
lands and meadows, cloud kissing peaks, precipitous and sparkling waterfalls,
meandering rivers, roaring tigers and trumpeting tuskers, fleeing deer and
flying squirrels, talking myna and dancing peacocks et al make Similipal a
dreamland of Nature in the wilderness and an irresistible destination.
Nandankanan : A short distance from the capital city, Bhubaneswar,
the Nandankanan zoo lies in the splendid environs of the Chandaka forest, along
the rippling waters of the Kanjia lake.It also contains a botanical garden and
part of it has been declared as sanctuary. Famous for its white tiger population
,Nandankanan or the Garden of Gods has become a hot family favorite ,with
visitors getting an excellent opportunity to enjoy seeing these regal animals in
their natural glory- in an environment conductive to their growth.
Bhitarkanika Sanctuary : Located in the second largest mangrove forest in
the country, the sanctuary has protected the estuarine crocodiles since 1975.
Located slightly further away is the coastal area of Gahirmatha, where the giant
Pacific ridley sea turtles, traveling annually from as far away from South
America nest by the millions. Special arrangements were made to ensure their
protection as the turtles were preyed upon by the local folk many years ago.
Situated on the coast along the Bay of Bengal, Orissa stands for its ancient
glory and modern endeavour. Endowed with nature's bounty, a 482 km stretch of
coastline with virgin beaches, serpentine rivers, mighty waterfalls, forest-clad
blue hills of Eastern Ghats with rich wild life, Orissa is dotted with exquisite
temples, historic monuments as well as pieces of modern engineering feat. The
land, while retaining its pristine glory, also offers the visitors modern
amenities.
this century. Out of these the traditional painters , the tribal
painter , the folk and rock painters are of significance.
Similipal Tiger Reserve : Thick and green forests, extensive grassy
lands and meadows, cloud kissing peaks, precipitous and sparkling waterfalls,
meandering rivers, roaring tigers and trumpeting tuskers, fleeing deer and
flying squirrels, talking myna and dancing peacocks et al make Similipal a
dreamland of Nature in the wilderness and an irresistible destination. 
