New Delhi: On State’s plea to accord classical status to Odishi Music, the Union Government on Monday clarified that it does not confer classical status to any musical form.
Giving a reply to a question asked by BJP MP Achyutananda Samanta, Union Culture Minister G. Kishan Reddy said Sangeet Natak Akademi, an autonomous organization working under Ministry of Culture has received proposals from Guru Gopal Chandra Panda, Founder President/ Chairman; Guru Gopal Panda Odishi Academy, Bhubaneswar; Prof. P.K. Mishra, Chairman, Institute of Indian Music, Bhubaneswar, and Dr. Amar Patnaik, Member, Rajya Sabha for this purpose.
However the Government does not confer classical status to any Musical form, he clarified.
The State Government has been repeatedly putting pressure on the Centre to accord classical status to Odishi Music. The State Heritage Cabinet in September 2020 had passed a resolution to request the Centre for this purpose.
In the same month, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had written a letter to the Centre to accord classical status to Odissi Music as it has at least 2,000-years old tradition and is based on ‘Shastra’ having its own ‘Raga’.
In 1964, Odissi Dance was accorded ‘classical dance’ status by the Centre. Later on, Odia language received the status of 6th classical language of the country by the Union Government. In 2008, Odishi Music was accorded classical status by the State Government.
The movement for a separate State of Odisha was based on the nuances of Odia Culture, including its language and music. The movement has continued and taken different forms over the years.