Bhubaneswar: More than 50 heritage enthusiasts from various parts of Odisha participated in an interactive edition of “Aithihyara Ante” (Beyond Heritage) at Odisha State Museum here Sunday. Young and veteran researchers and enthusiasts spoke on the theme “Maa Bhasa, Maati Bhasa” (Language of the mother and motherland) focusing on the development of the Odia script and language. The eighth edition of “Aitihyara Ante” tried to explore the epigraphic treasure of the Odisha State Museum which has a rich collection of inscriptions, copper plates and palm-leaf manuscripts.
The participants also spoke on the subject and raised several questions. The event ended with a short documentary on palm-leaf conservation. The young researchers including Soumya Ranjan Panda, Swetak Abhishek Mohapatra, Bishnu Mohan Adhikari and Prateek Pattanaik explained the development of the Odia script and its language. Noted linguist and scholar Subrat Kumar Prusty explained how the Odia or Kalinga script has evolved with a distinct and unique identity. “As a race, we should feel proud that we have one of the oldest scripts in the pan-Indian arena. Odia, which was the sixth language to receive the Classical status, has its roots since 3rd Century BC or even earlier and we have proofs with us,” he said.
Epigraphist and independent researcher Bishnu Mohan Adhikari appealed to the participants, especially the Odisha State Museum authorities, to initiate a process to bring back the dated first inscription of Odia script named “Urjam Inscription” which was recovered in Andhra Pradesh, but it is still at a museum in Chennai as earlier the southern part of the state was under Madras Presidency. The participants also visited the palm-leaf conservation wing of the museum and witnessed how the priceless palm-leaf manuscripts are preserved following their restoration and treatment through various scientific methods. The museum authorities also displayed some select manuscripts for heritage enthusiasts to see for themselves and realise how the process of conservation has created such a beautiful creation for future generations.
It can be mentioned here that the Beyond Heritage initiative has earlier covered topics like Temple architecture (at Parashurameswar temple), Martial heritage (at Barabati fort), Temple Food Heritage (at Bindusagar), Ekamra Astachandi (at Old Town Bhubaneswar, Maritime History of Kalinga (online), Math Heritage in Puri (at Puri) and Gajapati Kapilendra Deva (at Panda Pada in Cuttack). The group is mooting a future episode at the World Heritage site Sun Temple of Konark in near future.
ARINDAM GANGULY, OP
