CULTURE AND HERITAGE OF THE MILLENNIUM CITY AS WELL AS THE
SILVER CITY: CUTTACK
Cuttack is one of the oldest cities in India and first city of
Orissa and founded in the 13th century. The city was built by King Ananga
Bhimadev-III and made the city as the capital of Odisha. From
day one to 1948, Cuttack was the capital of Orissa / Odisha (after 1948,
Bhubaneswar is the capital of Orissa). Cuttack city was subsequently
taken by the Marathas in the year 1751 and the British in the year 1803.
Cuttack is not only famous due to his ancient but also famous
and attraction place of tourist for Maritime Museum, ancient temple, Barabati
Stadium, Durga Puja, Tarakashi craft (silver filigree) etc.
THEATRE: JATRA: CINEMA :
The theatre was established as permanent stage in 1875 by Jaga
Mohan Lala at Mahanga in Cuttack District. During in the year 1942,
Kali Charan Patnaik was the head of Odisha Theatre at Banka Bazar.
Thereafter, the musical drama troupe was came to an existence by Somnath Das in
the name of Annapurna Theatre-“B”.
The yatra later known as Opera Part. A good number of Opera
Parties are established from Cuttack.
In cuttack the Government of Orissa has established the Film
institute ( Biju Pattnaik Film and Television Institute) at Bose Campus by
State council for Technical Education and Vocational Training in the year 1998.
The cuttack is the heritage of Odia Cinema since thirties of the
last century till date. Mainly Cuttack is pioneering these
entertainment, originating mostly in cinema production, music with maximum
Cinema Halls.
DANCE:
Cuttack is the mother of Folk dance. Folk dance, music with
culture of Odisha initiated at Cuttack. The substantial famous folk dance of
cuttack are
(i)
Horse
Dance in the Odia month of Chaitra.
(ii)
Ghanta
Patua
(iii)
Medha
Dance
(iv)
Puppet
Dance
(v)
Dhenu
Koila Dance from Badamba.
Besides Pala, Daskathia, Kendara, Halia etc.various songs are
main folk art of Cuttack.
Kala Vikas Kendra :
Kala Vikas Kendra was established by Babulal Doshi in Cuttack to
promote Music, Dance and Dramatic Art. Once upon a time all tv stage show were
performed there. At present maximum days are TV show, school / college
function, and other local function conducted.
CULTURE & HERITAGE:
The word “Katak” etymologically means army base. The city of
Cuttack started as a military cantonment because of its impregnable situation
that further developed into the capital of the state of Odisha. Cuttack is
situated between the rivers of Mahanadi and Kathajodi. Cuttack developed into a
city out of five villages’ viz. Choudwar Katak, Baranasi Katak, Sarangagarh
Katak, Viraja Katak and Amaravati Katak. In the remote past, Cuttack was
connected both by land routes and waterways with the renowned medieval ports
like Chelitalo, Palur and Tamralipti.
Although politically Cuttack was not that important before the
8th century A.D. However, Cuttack became a capital city at the end of the 10th
century during the reign of Somavanansi dynasty of Odisha. Thereafter the
importance of Cuttack rapidly increased which was more centrally located.
The famous Barabati Fort was constructed in 1229 AD by the
famous Ganga ruler Ananga Bhimadeva lll for their protection. After the Ganges,
the city handed over the Gajapati under whom Cuttack continued to be the
capital of the state till 1948. From gangs rules to till independent the rulers
had come to Cuttack are Afghans Mughal and Abul Fazl, Marathas, and finally
Cuttack came under British occupation in 1803.
The first newspaper of Odisha, ‘Utkal Dipika’ was published by
the Cuttack Printing Company due to the efforts of Gourisankar Ray in 1866.
Ravenshaw University founded in 1868 by Thomas Edward
Ravenbshaw, Commissioner of Odisha Division. It slowly progressed as the Higher
English School until the famine of 1886. Ravenshaw College was converted to
Ravenshaw University on 15th November 2006.
Observance of many socio-religious cultural festivals are common
features of the City as well as the District. The following are the festivals
(i) Akshaya Trutiya: the main
source of livelihood comes from the agriculture. Thus this is an important
agricultural festival, falls in the month of Vaishakha and characterized by the
ceremonial sowing of paddy in the field.
(ii)
Rathayatra: It is
celebrated on the month of Asadha. Car festival is the main festival in Orissa.
Therefore many place in Cuttack Town, the Car festival is being observed at
Dolamundai Jagannath Temple, Chandini Chowk Jagannath Temple , Ranihat Jagannath
Temple along with many other places of the District like at Jagannath Temple,
Dampada, Athagarh Jagannath Temple etc. with huge gatherings.
(iii)
Ganeshpuja : as Oriya, from Lord Ganesh festival the other festicals are started. In
cuttack city has many school and college and advocate office for which the this
festival is being observed at large numbers. Lord Binayak is
the household deity of prudence and prosperity. Nuapada Ganesh puja is very
famous and this is compared as Mumbai Ganesh Puja in cuttack city..
(iv)
Durgapuja: Maa Katak
Chandi and Gada Chandi are famous Shaki Pithas in Cuttack City. Due to these
famous Shakti Pithas many tourist or
devotees from other States come. Durga puja is celebrated at large number and
it observed from 10 days and 4 days are the main days like 6th day
to 10th day and Vashani celebration. The unique fact in emersion
ceremony of Durga puja is that almost all the idols are taken in a procession
with very much discipline with the spirit of brotherhood called “Bhai Chaara”
among the Katakias( people of Cuttack) in respect of any religion.
(v)
Kumar Purnima & Laxmi Puja: this two festical is also main festival for
Oriya’s. It is celebrated on the full moon day of Aswina every
year. Laxmi Puja is very much famous at Choudwar and Banki at Cuttack. Banki
Mahotsave is being celebrated for about 5 days every year also.
(vi)
Kartik Purnima/Rasa Purnima and
Baliyatra :
The Odia month of Kartik is the
most auspicious month of the year and have a great traditional value. On the
fool moon day i;e Kartik Purnima, has been celebrated at Boita Bandana Divas
since ancient times and from that day the Balijatra festival starts. Both Kartika
Purnima and Baliyatra both are interlink. And the people of cuttack celetrates
the Baliyatra from 7 to 9 days as per the direction of Local Government. And
the peoples from different area comes to enjoy this yatra.
Other festival are Maa
Sholapuri Puja, Chhat Puja, Saraswati Puja, Khudurukuni Osha, Shiv
Ratri, Magha Saptami and Mangal bara Osha being observed by the people of the
district.
TARAKASHI CRAFT OR SILVER FILIGREE
The meaning of Cuttack is incomplete without explain or discuss
about its Tarakashi craft (silver
filigree) which is also world famous craft. It is also a fact that due to the silver
filigree work, it has put this city in the World map. The city is
home town of approximately 2000 Tarakashi artisans who had inherited the
craftsmanship. The work of this craft was stared 500 years back and is
continuing till date, includes creating thin strands of silver wires that are
used to make a wide range of jeweler, utility items and exquisite showpieces
and utensils that are marketed globally. Artisans twist these silver wires
into different sizes and create designs out of them. Ornaments like necklaces,
ear pendants, brooches, anklets, hairpins, bangles and many other items are
manufactured.
From Cuttack the design silver items are also export to other
country and also sell on online through various sites like Flipkart, Amazon
etc. and also tourist comes here to purchase these products also. Not only
silver filigree is famous but also gold craft also famous.
FOOD OF CUTTACK
Rice is the staple item in the traditional cuisine and one will find both vegetarian and non-vegetarian
delicacies in this city. The city is famous delicious cuisine and among the
local favorites are Dahi Vada, Ghuguni, Chaat, Alu Dum, Bhindi Bhaja, Aalu
Palak, Jeera Pakhala, Saag, Prawn malai Curry, Crab Kalia, Fish curry and more.
TEMPLE
Maa Chandi Temple is one of the famous temples among other
famous temple. Many tourists come every day from other states also. Maa chandi
is the presiding deity of Cuttack city.
Jami Masjid is one of the ancient Masjid in Cuttack. This Masjid
is dated back of 1815-1819.
