Naveen Patnaik seeks classical status for Odissi music

Naveen Patnaik wrote a letter to the Union Minister of State for Culture and Tourism, Prahlad Singh Patel, seeking classical status to Odissi music. In his letter, Patnaik pointed out the distinctive characteristics of Odissi music which put it on par with the status of other classical music in the country.

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik urged the centre to accord classical status to Odissi music as it has a tradition of at least 2,000 years, adding that it is based on 'Shastra' having its own 'Raga'. Patnaik in a letter to the Union Minister of State for Culture and Tourism, Prahlad Singh Patel on Friday said, "It (Odissi music) has a distinctive rendition style based on codified grammar, the characteristic giti system of classical texts and having its own tala, different from Hindustani and Carnatic music."

"No doubt Odissi music has all the requisite and exclusive characteristics to be recognised as classical music," Patnaik said in his letter.

Patnaik's letter came a few days after the State's heritage cabinet approved a proposal to move the centre seeking classical tag for Odissi music in both vocal and instrumental categories.

The Chief Minister in the letter said the Odisha government has already undertaken pioneering efforts to get classical status for Odissi music at an institutional level through the establishment of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre and Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi with the purpose of promoting music, dance and drama in the State. In 1999 the State government had also established the Utkal university.

"Odissi music has made a significant impact on India's cultural scenario. Several Odishan playwrights, sculptors, painters and choreographers have earned national and international recognitions," he added.

Patnaik also pointed out that while Odissi dance has been recognised as one of the classical forms of art in India, Odissi music is yet to get the recognition as a classical form at the national level.

"I would, therefore, request you to kindly appreciate our heritage, the elegant and classical elements of Odissi music and confer classical status to Odissi music, fulfilling the long cherished dream of music lovers in Odisha and the country as a whole," Patnaik said.

PTI