The Odisha Society of the Americas
The Odisha Society of the Americas, or OSA, is an organization whose stated goals are to promote the culture of the Indian state of Odisha in the United States and Canada, and to facilitate the exchange of information between Odisha and North America.[1] Founded in 1969, OSA is registered as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization in the United States. The main event of the organization is an annual convention which aims to bring members of the Odia diaspora together to celebrate their ethnic culture. It held an annual get-together called convention, where people of Odia origin from different parts of USA and Canada mingled and shared experiences of ethnic living.
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| Abbreviation | OSA |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1970 |
| Legal status | Voluntary Association |
| Purpose | Awareness of Odia Language and Culture |
| Location |
|
Official language | Odia English |
| Website | www.odishasociety.org |
Current status
Today, OSA is a strong organization with 1500 or more individual and family members. This is due to individuals stepping forward to support different activities with innovative ideas which, when implemented, benefit us all. The organization has now spread into thirteen regional chapters, which operate as a social umbrella for different regions in the US and Canada. The chapters arrange various activities such as religious festivals, social get together, cultural events and participate in the cultural life of the local community as representatives of Odia culture. Besides these, the annual convention is the centerpiece of the society's activities.
Vision
The society's vision is to promote and propagate Odia culture in Americas by bringing together all the people interested in Odisha.
Mission Goals
The mission goals of The Odisha Society of Americas are:
· To provide a mutually supportive environment for the better interaction of Odia immigrants of North American countries through socio-cultural growth, friendship and fellowship.
· To enhance the awareness of Odisha and Odia traditions in North America through cultural promotion, social events, and developmental activities.
· To facilitate the exchange of information between Odisha and the United States/Canada.
Chapters in USA & Canada
There are 14 chapters in USA and 1 chapter in Canada. A new chapter, California chapter is under formation.
| Chapter Name | Chapter Serving Area | Formation Year |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago | Illinois, Wisconsin | NA |
| Grand Canyon | Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico | 2009 |
| Maryland - Virginia | Maryland, Virginia | 1995 |
| Michigan | Michigan | 1988 |
| North West | Minnesota | 1990 |
| New England | Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire | 1983 |
| New York/New Jersey | New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania | 1970 as OSANY 2005 as OSANYNJ |
| Ohio | Ohio | NA |
| Ozark (central) | Kansas, Kentucky, Iowa, Missouri | NA |
| Pacific Northwest | Oregon, Washington, British Columbia & Neighboring States | 2011 |
| South East | North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia | NA |
| Southern | Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi. Alabama, Kentucky | NA |
| South-West | Texas, Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma | NA |
| Washington, DC | Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC, Delaware, West Virginia | 1984 |
| Canada | Canada | 1971 |
Events
OSA Convention
The annual convention of The Odisha Society of the Americas takes place during the July 4th weekend every year. The main responsibility of hosting the convention rests with the local chapters of OSA. At times when local chapters do not bid for the convention, Odia communities under the leadership of an OSA life member and with 15 or more OSA members do take charge of organizing the convention. The convention serves to bring together people with roots in Odisha to share the pride in Odia culture and heritage and pass it on to the next generation. Convention is the centerpiece of OSA's activities. The 50th OSA Convention was held in Atlantic City, New Jersey during July 4-7, 2019. Website for 50th Convention is https://www.osa2019.org. More than 2000 attended the convention making it the largest gathering of Odias outside of Odisha. Dr. Uma B. Mishra served as the Convener and Sribatsa Das served as the co-convener of the convention. The 49th Convention was held in Detroit, Michigan in 2018. The 48th Convention was held in Bahamas Cruise. The 47th Convention was held in Providence, Rhode Island. The 45th Convention was held in National Harbor, Maryland. The 44th OSA convention was held in Chicago, Illinois from 4 to 6 July 2013. The 45th OSA convention in 2014 was held at Columbus, Ohio.
Past/Future OSA Conventions
| Year | Place |
|---|---|
| 2019 | Atlantic City, New Jersey |
| 2018 | Detroit, Michigan |
| 2017 | Bahamas Cruise |
| 2016 | Providence, Rhode Island |
| 2015 | National Harbor, Maryland |
| 2014 | Columbus, Ohio |
| 2013 | Chicago, IL |
| 2012 | Seattle, WA |
| 2011 | Dallas, TX |
| 2010 | Redwood City, CA |
| 2009 | Trenton, New Jersey |
| 2008 | Toronto, ONT |
| 2007 | Detroit, MI |
| 2006 | Columbia, MD |
| 2005 | Newport Beach, CA |
| 2004 | Dallas, TX |
| 2003 | Princeton, NJ |
| 2002 | Greenbelt, MD |
| 2001 | Chicago, IL |
| 1999 | Toronto, Canada |
| 1998 | Monterey, CA |
| 1997 | Houston, TX |
| 1996 | Washington, DC |
| 1995 | Minneapolis, MN |
| 1994 | Pomona, NJ |
| 1993 | Troy, MI |
| 1992 | Atlanta, GA |
| 1991 | Chicago, IL |
| 1990 | Washington, DC |
| 1989 | Nashville, TN |
| 1988 | Saginaw, MI |
| 1987 | Stanford, CA |
| 1986 | Toronto, Canada |
| 1985 | Kent, OH |
| 1984 | Glassboro, NJ |
| 1983 | Bowie, MD |
| 1982 | Minneapolis, MN |
| 1981 | Chicago, IL |
| 1980 | Detroit, MI |
| 1979 | New Brunswick, NJ |
| 1978 | Wheaton, MD |
| 1977 | Riverdale, NJ |
| 1976 | Toronto, Canada |
| 1975 | Riverdale, NJ |
| 1974 | College Park, MD |
| 1973 | Riverdale, NJ |
| 1972 | Riverdale, NJ |
| 1971 | Hartford, CT |
| 1970 | Hartford, CT |
OSA Regional Oriya Drama Festival
OSA Drama Festival started in 2009 for the first time. Dr Gopal Mohanty was the festival coordinator. The concept of regional drama festival went into effect during the month of April 2009 at 3 sites, Texas, Michigan and Washington DC. OSA is planning to continue the tradition in its present form or in an improved form (combining music and dances) for the future. OSA Southwest Chapter Drama Festival-2013 was held at Austin on 14 September 2013.
| Year | Region | Drama | Chapter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | South-West Region | Athacha Chanakya(ଅଥଚ ଚାଣକ୍ୟ) | Dallas |
| Sahitya Gadia Manthana(ସାହିତ୍ୟ ଗଡିଆ ମନ୍ଥନ ) | Austin | ||
| E ki Nataka(ଏ କି ନାଟକ ) | Arkansas | ||
| Mom, Ma Aau Madam(ମୋମ୍, ମା ଆଉ ମାଡାମ୍) | Houston | ||
| Eastern Region | Gitinatya Sri Ganesha(ଗୀତିନାଟ୍ୟ ଶ୍ରୀ ଗଣେଶ) | DC | |
| Pathoi Bohu(ପାଠୋଇ ବୋହୁ) | DC | ||
| Gua Nimantran(ଗୁଆ ନିମନ୍ତ୍ରଣ) | NY/New Jersey|NJ | ||
| Northern Region | Banna Nasika(ବନ ନାଶିକ) | Canada | |
| Gitinatya Mahisa Mardini(ଗୀତିନାଟ୍ୟ ମହିଶା ମର୍ଦିନୀ) | MI | ||
| 2010 | South-West Region | Kalakara Natabara Babunkara Nata(କଳାକାର ନଟବର ବାବୁନକର ନାଟ) | Dallas |
| Saur Jagatare Ulka Pata(ସୌର ଜଗତରେ ଉଲ୍କା ପାତ) | Arkansas | ||
| Habani Na, Habana Aau(ହବନୀ ନା, ହବନା ଆଉ ) | Houston | ||
| Eastern Region | Kanchi Abhijan(କାଂଚୀ ଅଭିଯାନ) | OSNE Junior artists | |
| Dasanana: Naka Kata Upakhyana(ଦସାନନ : ନାକ କଟା ଉପାଖ୍ୟାନ) | NY/New Jersey|NJ | ||
| Dinu Kaka Thiika Kahuthile(ଦିନୁ କାକା ଠିକ୍ କହୁଥିଲେ ) | OSNE Senior artists | ||
| North-Central Region | Uchit Charcha(ଉଚିତ୍ ଚର୍ଚା) | Milwaukee | |
| Gosein Mahatma(ଗୋସେଇଁ ମହାତ୍ମା) | Detroit | ||
| Jaha Hale Hau(ଯାହା ହେଲେ ହଉ) | Unknown | ||
| 2012 | South-West Region | Bandhoo Mohanty | DFW Kids Drama |
| Tahele Kie | Austin | ||
| Item Girl | Houston | ||
| Mayar Kahani | Austin Skit | ||
| Paisaara Maayaa, Karuchhi Baayaa | Arkansas | ||
| Akala Kusmanda | DFW | ||
Publications
Odisha Society of Americas has been publishing souvenirs of its annual conventions from 1983. In 2019, all the editions were published in Amazon.com in print and Digital through Amazon.com, Google Play and Google Book.
OSA History
OSA Golden Jubilee Convention created History Team. The History Team collected VHS, Hi8 and DVD media of past conventions and events. Founders and members were interviewed. YouTube channel and PlayLists were created.