Western Odisha

Western Odisha or the western part of Odisha, India, extending from the Kalahandi district in the south to the Sundargarh district in the north.

History
  • Kalachuri Dynasty:

Jajalla-deva, a ruler of the Kalachuri dynasty of Ratanpur (Chhattisgarh), defeated the ruler of Sonpur and annexed it with his kingdom in 1110. It was under the Kalachuri rulers of Ratanpur (Now in Chhattisgarh state) from 1110 to 1238.[1]

Natural resources

Western odisha region is rich with minerals. Iron ore is available in plenty at Tensa and Barsuan in Sundargarh district, Bauxite is available at Gandhamardan in Bargarh district, Coal is available in Himgir in Sundargarh district and Rampur in Jharsuguda district. Dolomite is available at Dubulabera and Kangorama in Sambalpur district and Lephripada in Sundargarh district. Graphite is available at Patnagarh and Titilagarh in Balangir district. Manganese ore is available in Balangir district. Fireclay is available at Belpahar in Jharsuguda district, Gandawara in Sambalpur district and some places of Sundargarh district.[2]

Demographics

Population
District District Headquarters Area (km2.) Population 1991 Census Population 2011 Census Literacy Rate 2011
BalangirBalangir6,5751,230,9381,648,57465.50
BargarhBargarh5,8371,207,1721,478,83375.16
NuapadaNuapada3,852469,482606,49058.20
SambalpurSambalpur6,702809,0171,044,41076.91
SubarnapurSonepur2,337476,815652,10774.42

(Source: Population of India, 2011)[3]

In addition to the ten districts listed above and shown on the map, the Western Odisha Development Council includes Anugul on its website.[4]

Art and culture

Western Odisha is culturally influenced by several different cults and religions. Its history dates back to the Mahabharat and Buddhist period. Folk songs and dances of this area have been revived and recognized during the last quarter century, including Danda (Danda Yatra and Danda Nata), which is considered to be one of the oldest forms of variety entertainment in India, to the modern "Krushnaguru Bhajan", a type of folk lyrics and songs. Sambalpuri language songs are quite popular throughout Odisha. Some hits include Rangabati, Ekda Ekda, Dalkhai, and Panbala Babu.[5][6]

Rangabati

Rangabati is a modern composed Sambalpuri song inspired by folk music, written about 1975, which enjoyed international popularity in the 1970s and 1980s. It was sung by Jitendra Haripal and Krishna Patel. The music was composed by Prabhudutta Pradhan and the lyrics by Mitrabhanu Gauntia. The song was recorded and broadcast by All India Radio, Sambalpur[7]

References
  1. Dash, Siba Prasad, " Sambalpur Itihas ", Odisha Sahitya Academy, Bhubaneswar, 2002, ISBN 81-7586-083-9, P. 68,70
  2. Mohanty, Basanta Kumar, Orissa Fact File, 2005, p.46
  3. Population of Western Orissa
  4. WODC main page
  5. Current Sambalpuri Album
  6. Legendary Sambalpuri singer Jitendra Haripal
  7. "And the singer sings his song ", The Hindu, 27 May 2001.
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