Western Odisha Celebrates Sambalpuri Day with Cultural Pride and Traditional Festivities

Sambalpur: Sambalpuri Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm across western Odisha on Saturday, as people came together to honour the region’s rich cultural traditions, language and heritage. Dressed in vibrant Sambalpuri handloom outfits, people participated in cultural events, enjoyed traditional cuisine and paid tribute to the legacy of the Sambalpuri language.

Observed every year on August 1, Sambalpuri Day commemorates the birth anniversary of renowned linguist and literary figure Guru Satya Narayan Bohidar, whose contributions played a crucial role in the preservation and development of the Sambalpuri language.

Born in 1913 in the undivided Sambalpur district, Bohidar dedicated his life to promoting Sambalpuri literature and documenting the language. His landmark work, Sambalpuri Bhasakosh, is regarded as the first dictionary of the Sambalpuri language and remains a significant milestone in its literary history. He also authored several notable books, including Tik Chahnra, Ghuvkudu and Ghavghavo. Bohidar passed away on December 31, 1980.

Sambalpuri is widely spoken across nine districts of western Odisha—Sambalpur, Balangir, Jharsuguda, Kalahandi, Boudh, Sundargarh, Deogarh, Nuapada and Subarnapur. The language, known for its unique dialect, folk songs, dance forms and vibrant handloom tradition, continues to be a defining element of the region’s cultural identity.

On the occasion, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi extended his greetings to the people and said Sambalpuri language, folk music, dance, handloom and traditional art forms are symbols of Odisha’s rich cultural heritage. He appealed to citizens to preserve and promote this invaluable legacy for future generations.

Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik also paid homage to Guru Satya Narayan Bohidar and conveyed his wishes on Sambalpuri Day. Union Education Minister and Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan described the occasion as a celebration of the region’s language, literature and cultural pride, while Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo also greeted the people and acknowledged the significance of Sambalpuri heritage.