ABOUT

The Department of Odia Language and Literature comes under the School of Languages to offer Master of Arts course since its inception in 2009. The course study of M.A is revised in regular intervals and made up to date. The Department provides specialized teaching in Comparative Literature, Translation Studies, and Folk Literature & Tribal Studies. The diverse field of the M.A course adopted modern technology in editing and translation. Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy courses were introduced in the department since the academic year of 2013-14. The Department has been active in its research activities since its inception. The teachers of the department supervise dissertation for Masters Programme where students get anthropological and sociological field work exposure in the fourth semester. A good number of students from the department cleared UGC-JRF/NET and some of them got recruited in reputed governmental and non-governmental sectors.

Vision of the Department

Keeping in view of the rich cultural heritage and other linguistic aspects of the local people of diversified cultural groups and communities (nearly 62 indigenous groups ), the prime objective of the Department under the aegis of Central University of Orissa is to document and preserve the folklore and oral literature by means of seminars, symposia, colloquia, workshops etc. Issues like explorations, research, experiments by collecting and compiling the elements of language and literature through anthropological and socio-cultural comparative perspective is on the pipeline. Pioneering works pertaining to research on language, literature and culture have been done, but it is the high time to continue the old tradition with new approach by coordinating odia language with culture and literature. The cultures which are on the verge of extinction, with the impact of globalization and modernity can be preserved and saved.

Mission of the Department

Odia language and literature has an ancient history with its rich cultural heritage and uniqueness. Because of this trait it has attained the status of 6th classical language of India recently. To keep the past tradition of odia language and literature alive, it was proposed to organize and conduct various research works which give the boost to odia for its growth. To cater the various issues pertaining to growth and progress of the odia language there is a necessity of departmental annual research journal with good repute of national standard. For the further growth of the above cause, University must have one classical language chair, which was duly recommended by the Government of India. Proposing strategic measures and steps to connect Odia Language and Literature to commoners, the Department is thereby initiating a new look with sensible values and ideas to Odia language. In this regard the Department has to create awareness among the mass in more attractive ways. So it will enrich the growth and prosperity of odia language and literature. For the benefit of non-odia people the department has proposed to run certificate and diploma programmes in odia language under MIL, which also help in the growth and expansion of odia language.

Goal

To emphasize and promote the language, literature and culture of Odisha.
To document and preserve the folklore and oral literature of indigenous groups of southern Odisha.
To setup a departmental library, Folk museum, Language laboratory and separate unit of preservation of Manuscripts.
To encourage and promote research in the field of undiscovered areas of literature as well as culture with comparative prospective.
To publish a departmental research journal with good repute of national standard.
To organize national seminar/workshop/ symposium and to enrich the departmental research and teaching.