Two-day National Seminar on ‘Tribal Society and Culture of Odisha as Reflected in Literature’, organized jointly by KISS and Kendra Sahitya Academy, was inaugurated at KISS Deemed to be University on July 26, 2019.
Inaugurating the seminar, Shri K. Sreenivasa Rao, Secretary, Kendra Sahitya Academy said, “Indian literature is pioneer of all literatures. Tribal literature of India is unique. Our art, culture, tradition and literature have developed from ancient civilization. Odia literature originated from Odra tribal”. There are many social and cultural similarities between different tribes, he stated, adding that Odia there are many reflections of tribal society and culture in Odia literature.
Eminent fictionist and Jnanpith Awardee Dr. Pratibha Ray said, “Man is a part of the nature. Therefore people are so natural. We belong to one tribe – that is Human Tribe. We have to go through Indian literature which is inspired by Vedic root. In ancient Indian literature there was reflection of tribal culture and character. Without tribal culture Mahabharat and Ramayan would not have been completed”.
Eminent Odia writer Gopal Ballav Das is the pioneer in introducing tribal culture, tradition in Odia literature. Later, in many Odia writings tribal cultures and tradition were reflected by prominent Odia writers including Gopinath Mohanty. Today the tribal culture and traditions are gradually disappearing from its origin. We have to restore and preserve these tribal culture and traditions, she said.
In his keynote address Professor Harekrushna Satapathy, VC, KISS Deemed to be University said, in Odia literature there is enormous reflection of tribal culture and tradition. Bijayananda Singh, Convenor, Odia Advisory Board, Sahitya Academy presided over the inaugural function, while Dr. P. K. Routray, CEO, KISS proposed the Vote of Thanks. Many experts and writers of tribal literature from various parts of the country joined and participated in the seminar.