Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government on October 8 announced plans to renovate Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore’s ancestral residence, ‘Pather Puri’, in Puri and convert it into a museum dedicated to the Nobel laureate’s memory and literary contributions. The decision was taken during a high-level review meeting of the Odia Language, Literature & Culture Department, chaired by Culture Minister Shri Suryabanshi Suraj at the Department’s Conference Hall.
“It has been decided to restore Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore’s residence, ‘Pather Puri’, in Puri and develop it into a museum in his memory,” the Minister said, highlighting the government’s commitment to preserving Odisha’s cultural and literary heritage. He added that the house, located near the sea beach, was earlier used as a boys’ hostel for students of Samanta Chandra Sekhar (SCS) College before being abandoned.
Historian and coordinator of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), Odisha chapter, Anil Dhir, noted that the land at Chakratirtha Road was allotted to Tagore in 1939 by the then Prime Minister of Odisha during the British period. The Tagore family had constructed a palatial building on the site and later donated it to the state government for educational purposes.
Alongside the renovation of Tagore’s residence, the meeting approved several other major initiatives aimed at promoting Odia art, literature, and heritage.
One of the key decisions was to set up a Theme Pavilion during the upcoming Bali Jatra in Cuttack, beginning on November 5, to showcase the works and contributions of eminent Odia writers. This year, Indonesia will participate as the Partner Country, while an Indian state will be invited as the Partner State under the “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” initiative. Cultural troupes from several South Asian countries will also be invited to perform at the festival.
In line with its support for traditional festivals, the Culture Department announced financial assistance for the Kendrapada Gajalaxmi Puja, following a similar initiative for the Dhenkanal Gajalaxmi Puja.
The Department also resolved to expedite recruitment for all vacant positions across cultural and educational institutions, including Culture University, Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya, B.K. College of Art and Crafts, Government College of Art and Crafts, and Khalikote, to strengthen institutional capacities in the field of arts and culture.
The State Archaeology Directorate will undertake restoration and conservation of the historic Kalidas Temple in Kendrapada district, ensuring preservation of Odisha’s architectural heritage. Additionally, the Odisha Bridge & Construction Corporation (OBCC) has been directed to accelerate the construction of the Odia Asmita Bhawan, located near Sainik School, Bhubaneswar.
Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj emphasised that these initiatives reflect the State Government’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding Odisha’s rich cultural legacy while promoting the Odia identity through sustained literary, artistic, and cultural programs.
These decisions are expected to not only conserve historical and cultural landmarks but also strengthen the promotion of Odia literature, arts, and traditions on both national and international platforms.
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