I write about Odisha : dying art forms, facets of culture, Odissi music and integrating technology in these spheres. My book ‘Odissi Sangita Baridhi’ (co-authored with Guru Ramarao Patro) documenting rare Odissi compositions collected by the 20th-century maestro Acharya Tarini Charan Patra (140 compositions and 60 ragas in all) has been published in May 2023.
Adhara Pana
On the Adhara Pana ritual on the penultimate day of Ratha Jatra.
Sacred hues of trinity’s fabrics
On the spectacular weaves of the Jagannatha temple.
The Mystical Mahasiddhas Of Buddhism And Their Odisha Connection
Odisha is well known as a great seat of Buddhism, especially of the Tantric kind. This is a journey into the stories of the Mahasiddhas in Odia culture.
Simhachalam And Its Odia Connection
The great shrine of Simhachalam has been home to many kings and dynasties— few know that the early history of this temple is intimately associated with the Eastern Ganga dynasty.
The Veena’s Note In Odia Culture And Odissi Music
The Veena was one of the mandatory sevas at the Jagannatha Temple of Puri. Musicians used to be appointed in the temple to sing and play traditional Odissi classical songs.
The Ashoka flower and Lingaraja’s ratha
The Ratha Jatra of Puri is famous, but the four rathas of Odisha are lesser known.
Vegetarianism of the Crane
The tale of the vegetarian crane and other beliefs about the month of Kartika.
The four rathas of Odisha
About the lesser known quartet of Rathas of Odisha.
Seven makers of the Ratha
Traditional craftsmen preserve the intricate ancient art of making rathas. Who are they and how do they work separately yet together to build these engineering & aesthetic marvels?
Sitala Sasthi, the divine wedlock
One of the oldest poems in Odia literature is a satirical take on Shiva & Parvati’s wedding.
Ancient poetesses of Odisha
The ancient poetesses of Odisha— from queens to dombis— wonderful women who talk about everything from philosophy, devotion, culture to romance, warfare, society.
The Kaibartas of Odisha
The fisherfolk of Odisha and why they dance wearing horse-costumes in their ritual annual festival.
Vivid backdrop of Kuanra Punei
Three autumn legends from Odisha.
Where mother is son
On the night of Janmastami, Jagannatha is the mother and Jagannatha is the son. This is a deeper look at this curious ritual.
Chipping Away History : The Sorry State Of The Puri Temple’s Modern-Day Aesthetic
The sudden changes in the Puri temple’s aesthetic decisions bother me. This is why.
Sacred Squabble
Jagannatha might be the ideal deity for millions of his devotees around the globe, but his one wife is not too impressed. The divine husband and wife have a heated argument after the Ratha Jatra.
Journey Toward Lord
A concise introduction to what the world famous Ratha Jatra of the Jagannatha Temple is all about.
In The Absence Of Jagannatha
What happens in the empty chambers of the Jagannatha temple when the deities are away for the Ratha Jatra? An ancient legend explores this question.
The extended family Of Jagannatha
Jagannatha has a brother, a sister, two wives, an uncle and an aunt; but no father or mother. All about the Odia gods and their elaborate families in local belief.
Researching the Rath Yatra
Answers to some questions about Ratha Jatra.
Adhara Pana Ancient Asokastami Badasinghara Bichhinanchala Bina Biraja Charyapada Festivals Fisherfolk Ganga dynasty Instruments Jagannatha Janmastami Kaibarta Kalinga architecture Kanhupa Khandua Konarka Krishna Lingaraja Luipa Mahasiddha Narasingha Deba Oddiyana Odia Odisha Odissi Bina Odissi music Puri Ratha Jatra Ratnagiri Rukuna Ratha Sambalpur Shiva Simhachalam Singhachala Sitala Sasthi Tantra Textile Uddiyana Vajrayana Veena Wedding Women