Communication and Cinema in Odisha

Communication plays a vital role in sharing information, thoughts, and ideas. It keeps people informed about global events and influences their socio-economic conditions positively. Odisha, with its rich cultural heritage, uses various means of communication. The key mediums discussed below reflect the state’s historical and contemporary landscape in media and cinema.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Gain insights into the history and evolution of communication mediums in Odisha.
2. Identify significant newspapers, magazines, radio, and television stations.
3. Recognize major contributions in Odisha cinema, including films, actors, and directors.

Means of Communication in Odisha

Odisha has a robust communication system encompassing newspapers, magazines, radio, television, postal services, and telecommunication networks.

Newspapers in Odisha

Newspapers have been crucial in shaping Odisha’s socio-political dynamics. They evolved over pre- and post-independence eras.

Pre-Independence Era

1. Utkala Deepika: The first Odia newspaper, launched on 4th August 1866, is commemorated as Odia Journalism Day. Edited by Gauri Shankar Ray, it originated in Cuttack.
2. Asha: Introduced on 13th April 1913 in Ganjam district by Shashi Bhushan Rath. Later became a daily named ‘Dainik Asha’ in 1928 from Berhampur.
3. The Samaja: Began in 1919 from Cuttack, founded by Gopabandhu Das, to facilitate the freedom struggle. It remains a popular daily in Odia.
4. New Orissa: The first English daily in Odisha, started on 5th May 1933 under Shashi Bhushan Rath’s editorship.

Post-Independence Era

1. Prajatantra (1947), Mathrubhumi (1947), Ganatantra (1956), and Kalinga (1960) emerged as significant newspapers.
2. Dharitry (1974): Founded by Samajbadi Society, it marked its place as an Oriya daily and now extends to electronic media.
3. A surge in various newspapers like Sambad (1984), Pragativadi (1985), The Samaya (1996) diversified media presence in Odisha.

Notable Newspapers (Compact Table)

Important Note: The diversification of newspapers in Odisha illustrates the regional focus on language and cultural propagation.

Magazines

Odisha has a long tradition of literary and cultural magazines contributing to its cultural wealth.

1. Bodha Dayini: The first Oriya magazine, published in 1861 from Balasore.
2. Utkal Prabha (1891): Initiated with support from the Maharaja of Mayurbhanj, focusing on literary advancements.
3. Rock Pebbles (1987): The first English magazine in Odisha, published from Jajpur.
4. Suna Bhauni (1990): A renowned children’s magazine that was translated into 100 languages, earning a place in the Limca Book of World Records.
5. Ameodia (2009): The pioneer online magazine in Odia language.

Notable Monthly Magazines (Compact Table)

Radio Stations in Odisha

Odisha boasts 28 main radio stations broadcasting in Odia, English, and tribal dialects.

1. Key stations include Balangir, Bhawanipatna, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, among others.
2. Cuttack hosts seven networks, including All India Radio and FM.
3. Notable stations lacking All India Radio presence: Daspalla, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, Khordha, Konark.

Television Channels in Odisha

Television channels in Odisha cover a wide range of programs.

1. DD Odia: Launched in 1994, this state-owned channel offers serials, cultural programs, and news.
2. Other channels include Colors Odia, Zee Sarthak, Kanak News, and OTV, catering to diverse viewer interests.

Post Offices in Odisha

The state’s postal network is well-organized, contributing significantly to communication.

1. The Orissa Post and Telegraph Office was established on 12th September 1949 at Cuttack, shifting to Bhubaneswar in 1970.
2. As of 2017-18, there are 8175 Post Offices in Odisha, with 92.7% in rural areas.
3. Ganjam district has the highest number of post offices (679), while Deogarh has the lowest (59).

Telephone Companies in Odisha

Odisha has witnessed impressive growth in the telecom sector, with 2.90% of total telephone subscribers in India.

1. 99.15% are wireless subscribers, while 0.85% are wireline subscribers.
2. The total teledensity stands at 80.05, lower than the national level of 91.08.

Concept: E-governance plays a crucial role in public service delivery in Odisha, utilizing the telecom network effectively.

Cinema of Odisha

The origin of Odia cinema traces back to its first film Sita Bibaha in 1936 by Mohan Sundar Deb Goswami, setting the cultural landscape for future films.

Key Milestones in Odia Cinema

1. Sita Bibaha (1936): The first Odia film, derived from the Indian epic Ramayana.
2. Roles to Eight (1951): The first Odia film with an English name, directed by Kalyan Gupta.
3. Sri Lokenath (1960): The first Odia film to receive the National Award.
4. Nua Bou (1962): Bagged the National Award in the Regional category.

Notable Films (Compact Table)

Famous Actors and Actresses from Odisha

1. Mohammad Mohsin: Born in 1942, he contributed significantly as an actor, director, and producer. Notable films include Naga Phasa and Danda Balunga.
2. Prashanta Nanda: A multifaceted actor and politician, debuted in Nua Bou (1962). Received National Awards thrice.
3. Bijay Mohanty: Commenced his acting journey from school. Honored six times with Odisha State Film Awards for movies like Arati (1981) and Mamata Mage Mula (1985).
4. Sriram Panda: A prominent actor turned director. Made his film debut in Dharitri in 1972.

Important Note: The contributions of actors like Anubhav Mohanty, Arindam Roy, and Babushan Mohanty have shaped the contemporary Odia cinema landscape.

Notable Directors from Odisha

1. Mohan Sundar Deb Goswami: Directed the first Odia film Sita Bibaha in 1936. The Mohan Sundar Dev Goswami Award commemorates his legacy.
2. Sabyasachi Mohapatra: Directed Bhukha, which won the International Jury Award. Owns Mohapatra Movie Magic.
3. Bijoy Ketan Mishra: Known for his art films in Odia, his debut movie Ahalya is adapted from an Oriya short story.

Odisha State Film Awards

The Odisha State Film Awards began in 1968 to honor cinematic excellence.

1. First Award (1973): Best Film – Adina Megha, Best Director – Nitai Palit, Best Actor – Samuel Sahu.
2. Jaydev Award: Recognizes individuals for their outstanding contribution to Odia cinema. The first recipient was Dhira Biswal (1980).

Recent Best Films and Actors (Compact Table)

 |

| Kehi Nuhen Kahara | 2015 |
| Chini | 2016 |

Concept: The Jaydev Award, part of Odisha State Film Awards, acknowledges individuals’ lasting impact on the growth of Odia cinema.

MCQ:

Q: Which was the first Odia film to receive the National Award?

1. Nua Bou
2. Saptasajya
3. Sri Lokenath
4. Roles to Eight
   Correct Answer: 3. Sri Lokenath

The means of communication and the cinema of Odisha, with their rich history and ongoing developments, depict the state’s vibrant culture. From newspapers shaping societal narratives to cinema encapsulating artistic expressions, Odisha has carved a unique identity in India’s media and cultural domain.