It focuses on celebrating the positive aspects of Odisha and its people. It encourages support for local communities and businesses, promoting economic growth.

According to legend, the Odras people and their country of the same name have existed since ancient times. Odisha’s people are frequently mentioned in ancient Indian religious texts such as the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Manu Samhita, Natyashastra of Bharata Muni, and Indian Puranas. The Ramayana refers to the Odras as a race and names their country accordingly. The Odras are thought to be the first Aryan settlers in this region.

Tracing of the People of Odisha

They have been described as Vratyas in Manu’s institutes, who were degraded and stripped of their caste for failing to observe religious rituals. They were assigned the same rank as Poundras and Dravidas. The Odras may have had to compromise with the powerful Kalingans whom they conquered, as well as the Dravidas of neighboring regions, and their continued living together for a significant period resulted in the assimilation of certain traits of their culture, which enraged the Vedic Aryans.

Evolution of Odisha People

History reveals that the Odras were originally the Vratyas, or Aryans who did not join the Vedic Aryans. According to history, the Kshatriyas were known as brave and skilled warriors. As a result, their entry into Kalinga and subsequent formation of the Odra kingdom was an easy task for them. They drove the tribal people, the land’s first settlers, into the hilly hinterlands and established successful agriculture in the fertile plains and river basins.

Modern Odisha People

Oda-chasa, or Odias, continue to be the state’s most important agriculturists. They engaged in martial activities while working as farmers. They used to continue their war practice during times of peace and respond to the occasion for defense or offense as directed by their chieftains. While the Odras were living peacefully in the plains, another group of Aryans, most likely the Utkalas, invaded the land.

The Odras, who had concentrated their efforts on agriculture, were defeated and fled to the mountainous regions of Western Odisha. As previously stated, the Odras’ primary occupations were warfare and cultivation. The Savaras, who number over a million people in Odisha today, claim to be the state’s first settlers.

Administration of Odisha and its People

In terms of Odisha administration, it is said that until the early 12th century, various ruling clans known as Chedis, Sailodbhavas, Bhoumakaras, Nandas, Tungas Bhanjas, Somas or Kesaris, Kalachuris, and Haihayas ruled different parts of modern Odisha. In modern times, all Oriya-speaking people in Odisha are not related to the ancient Odra, Kalinga, Utkala, or any other specific race or community.

Religion in Odisha

Finally, it can be concluded that the Indian tradition, as defined as the Hindu tradition, is stronger and more widespread among the people of Odisha than in the rest of India. It is because, during India’s integration, Odisha’s indigenous art, religion, and culture have made significant contributions to national assimilation and synthesis.