“Relics of Kalinga in South India, Part- I : INTACH Odisha Launches Historic Documentation Book”
Cuttack : The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) Odisha State Chapter, in collaboration with the INTACH Cuttack Chapter, officially launched the book ‘Relics of Kalinga in South India, Part-I’ at a ceremonial event held on last Sunday, 27th April at the IPS Officers’ Mess, Cantonment Road, Cuttack.
This landmark publication is part of an INTACH initiative to list and document archaeological and historical sites linked to the Kalinga heritage in South India. Authored by noted heritage researcher and INTACH member Shri Deepak Kumar Nayak, the book has been jointly edited by retired IAS officer Shri Sanjib Chandra Hota and Professor Dr. Asoka Kumar Rath.
The first edition was formally released by eminent Odissi exponent and former Vice-Chancellor of Sambalpur University, Padmashri Dr. Priyambada Mohanty Hejmadi who was the Chief Guest for this function. The event was graced by several other dignitaries, including INTACH Odisha State Convenor Shri Amiya Bhusan Tripathy, INTACH Cuttack Chapter Convenor Eng. Shri Gopal Krishna Behera, the book’s editor Shri Sanjib Chandra Hota, author Shri Deepak Kumar Nayak, and publisher Shri Bijay Kumar Mohapatra of B.K. Publications Pvt. Ltd.
In his address, author and project coordinator Shri Deepak Kumar Nayak emphasized that the book marks the beginning of an effort to systematically document forgotten Kalingan historic sites located in South India. “Following the formation of Odisha as a separate state, many Kalinga relics outside its borders have fallen into obscurity. We are in a mission the rediscover those forgotten relics of Kalinga” he stated.
Editor Shri Sanjib Chandra Hota elaborated that Part I of the book focuses on tangible and intangible heritage in five districts of North Andhra Pradesh: Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Parvatipuram Manyam, Visakhapatnam, and Anakapalle.
Speaking at the event, Eng. Shri Gopal Krishna Behera, Convenor of the INTACH Cuttack Chapter, highlighted that several inscriptions found in South India point to Cuttack as the historical capital during the Ganga and Surya dynasty periods. He noted that this book adds a valuable dimension to Cuttack’s own historical narrative.
INTACH Odisha State Convenor Shri Amiya Bhusan Tripathy remarked, “This is the first time that INTACH Odisha has extended its documentation efforts beyond the current state boundaries. We are committed to expanding this project to cover Kalinga-linked sites in Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu in subsequent volumes.”
Chief Guest Padmashri Dr. Priyambada Mohanty Hejmadi lauded the initiative as a “monumental contribution” to the reinterpretation of Odisha’s history. She emphasized the cultural continuity represented in temple art and architecture, particularly the depiction of classical Odissi dance mudras at ancient temples such as Konark, Rajarani, and Parshurameshwar.
Publisher Shri Bijay Kumar Mohapatra praised the dedication of the INTACH survey team and assured continued support for future volumes.
Led by Shri Deepak Kumar Nayak as the project coordinator, a six-member survey team conducted extensive field visits across the above mentioned five districts of North Andhra Pradesh. The result is a 307-page volume featuring 57 historical sites and over 450 high-quality photographs. At the launch, members of the survey team — including Project Coordinator & author Deepak Kumar Nayak, epigrapher Bishnu Mohan Adhikari, surveyors Bikram Kumar Nayak, Suman Prakash Swain, Bikash Prasad Das, Chiranjib Rout,contributor Satya Chandra Saikumar Kethineedi & Publisher Bijay Kumar Mahapatra — were felicitated for their efforts by the Chief Guest Dr. Hejmadi.
