Odisha makes Bande Utkala Janani the state song
Bhubaneswar: The state cabinet on Sunday accorded Odisha Rajya Sangeeta (state song) status to Bande Utkala Janani, a week after Odias across the world sang the song to express their gratitude to the Covid warriors.
“It is a momentous occasion for every Odia as #BandeUtkalaJanani has been chosen as #OdishaRajyaSangeeta. Every word of the inspiring song written by literary doyen Laxmikanta Mohapatra speaks about Odisha’s glory, rich heritage, splendour, evoking patriotism among crores of Odias,” tweeted chief minister Naveen Patnaik.
“Today is a historic day for Odisha,” said state parliamentary affairs minister Bikram Keshari Arukh after the cabinet decision.
According state song status to the seven-stanza song was a long-standing demand from various quarters, including the assembly. The cabinet also decided that the state information and public relations department will determine the song’s tune, the version in which it will be sung and the duration, so that it is recorded accordingly.
“The approved version of the song will now be played or recited at various government functions, assembly sessions and other government events without instruments. The song can also be played or sung with musical instruments in schools, colleges, public meetings and different cultural events,” Arukh said.
The audience at any assembly will now have to stand from start to finish as a mark of respect when the song is played or recited. Elderly, ailing people, physically challenged, pregnant women and children are exempted from standing but can show their respect while sitting.
The song can also be presented by the police band while there will be no restrictions on the creative presentation of the song for its promotion. The cabinet also directed the higher education and school and mass education departments to include the song in the college and school curriculum.
Unlike the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, that has different penal provisions for insult to the national anthem, flag and Constitution, there is no specific penalty for violation of the state song.
The entire Odisha came to a standstill at 5.30pm on May 30 as people sang Bande Utkala Janani as a mark of solidarity to the Covid warriors.
The song was sung for the first time in 1912 by Utkal Sammilani during the movement for a separate Odisha province.
EoM