Orissa Society of the Americas
Encyclopedia
The Orissa Society of the Americas, or OSA, is an organization whose stated goals are to promote the culture of the India
n state of Orissa
(officially Odisha) in the United States
and Canada
, and to facilitate the exchange of information between Orissa and North America
. Founded in 1969, OSA is registered as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization in the United States. The main event of the organization is an annual convention
which aims to bring members of the Oriya
diaspora together to celebrate their ethnic culture. It held an annual get-together called convention, where people of Oriya origin from different parts of USA and Canada mingled and shared experiences of ethnic living.
.
· To provide a mutually supportive environment for the better interaction of Oriya immigrants of North American countries through socio-cultural growth, friendship and fellowship.
· To enhance the awareness of Orissa and Oriya traditions in North America through cultural promotion, social events, and developmental activities.
· To facilitate the exchange of information between Orissa and the United States/Canada.
The annual convention of The Orissa Society of the Americas takes place during the July 4th weekend every year. The main responsibility of hosting the convention rests with the local chapters of OSA. At times when local chapters do not bid for the convention, Oriya communities under the leadership of an OSA life member and with 15 or more OSA members do take charge of organizing the convention. The convention serves to bring together people with roots in Orissa to share the pride in Oriya culture and heritage and pass it on to the next generation. Convention is the centerpiece of OSA's activities. The 43rd annual OSA Convention will be held in Seattle, Washington
. The 42nd OSA annual convention was held in Dallas, Texas
from 1 to 4 July 2011.
Past/Future OSA Conventions
OSA Regional Oriya Drama Festival
OSA Drama Festival started in 2009 for the first time. Dr Gopal Mohanty was the festival coordinator. The concept of regional drama festival went into effect during the month of April 2009 at 3 sites, Texas, Michigan and Washington DC. OSA is planning to continue the tradition in its present form or in an improved form (combining music and dances) for the future.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n state of Orissa
Orissa
Orissa , officially Odisha since Nov 2011, is a state of India, located on the east coast of India, by the Bay of Bengal. It is the modern name of the ancient nation of Kalinga, which was invaded by the Maurya Emperor Ashoka in 261 BC. The modern state of Orissa was established on 1 April...
(officially Odisha) in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, and to facilitate the exchange of information between Orissa and North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. Founded in 1969, OSA is registered as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization in the United States. The main event of the organization is an annual convention
Convention (meeting)
A convention, in the sense of a meeting, is a gathering of individuals who meet at an arranged place and time in order to discuss or engage in some common interest. The most common conventions are based upon industry, profession, and fandom...
which aims to bring members of the Oriya
Oriya people
The Oriya, known classically by various names , are an ethnic group of eastern India and of eastern Indo-Aryan stock...
diaspora together to celebrate their ethnic culture. It held an annual get-together called convention, where people of Oriya origin from different parts of USA and Canada mingled and shared experiences of ethnic living.
Current Status
Today OSA is a strong organization with 900 or more individual and family members. This is due to individuals stepping forward to support different activities of OSA with innovative ideas which, when implemented, benefit us all. The organization has now spread into thirteen regional chapters, which operate as a social umbrella for different regions in the US and Canada. The chapters arrange various activities such as religious festivals, social get together, cultural events and participate in the cultural life of the local community as representatives of Oriya culture. Besides these the annual convention is known as the centerpiece of the OSA's activities.Vision
The vision of OSA is to promote and propagate Oriya culture in Americas by bringing together all the people interested in OrissaOrissa
Orissa , officially Odisha since Nov 2011, is a state of India, located on the east coast of India, by the Bay of Bengal. It is the modern name of the ancient nation of Kalinga, which was invaded by the Maurya Emperor Ashoka in 261 BC. The modern state of Orissa was established on 1 April...
.
Mission Goals
The mission goals of The Orissa Society of Americas(OSA) are:· To provide a mutually supportive environment for the better interaction of Oriya immigrants of North American countries through socio-cultural growth, friendship and fellowship.
· To enhance the awareness of Orissa and Oriya traditions in North America through cultural promotion, social events, and developmental activities.
· To facilitate the exchange of information between Orissa and the United States/Canada.
OSA Chapters in USA & Canada
There are 14 chapters in USA and 1 chapter in Canada. A new chapter, California chapter is under formation.| Chapter Name | Chapter Serving Area | Formation Year |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago | Illinois, Wisconsin | NA |
| Grand Canyon | Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico | 2009 |
| Maryland - Virginia | Maryland, Virginia | 1995 |
| Michigan | Michigan | 1988 |
| North West | Minnesota | 1990 |
| New England | Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire | NA |
| New York/New Jersey | New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania | 1970 as OSANY 2005 as OSANYNJ |
| Ohio | Ohio | NA |
| Ozark (central) | Kansas, Kentucky, Iowa, Missouri | NA |
| Pacific Northwest | Oregon, Washington, British Columbia & Neighboring States | 2011 |
| South East | North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia | NA |
| Southern | Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi. Alabama, Kentucky | NA |
| South-West | Texas, Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma | NA |
| Washington, DC | Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC, Delaware, West Virginia | 1984 |
| Canada | Canada | 1971 |
Events
OSA ConventionThe annual convention of The Orissa Society of the Americas takes place during the July 4th weekend every year. The main responsibility of hosting the convention rests with the local chapters of OSA. At times when local chapters do not bid for the convention, Oriya communities under the leadership of an OSA life member and with 15 or more OSA members do take charge of organizing the convention. The convention serves to bring together people with roots in Orissa to share the pride in Oriya culture and heritage and pass it on to the next generation. Convention is the centerpiece of OSA's activities. The 43rd annual OSA Convention will be held in Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
. The 42nd OSA annual convention was held in Dallas, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
from 1 to 4 July 2011.
Past/Future OSA Conventions
| Year | Place |
|---|---|
| 2012 | Seattle, DC |
| 2011 | Dallas, TX |
| 2010 | Redwood City, CA |
| 2009 | Trenton, New Jersey |
| 2008 | Toronto, ONT |
| 2007 | Detroit, MI |
| 2006 | Columbia, MD |
| 2005 | Newport Beach, CA |
| 2004 | Dallas, TX |
| 2003 | Princeton, NJ |
| 2002 | Greenbelt, MD |
| 2001 | Chicago, IL |
| 1999 | Toronto, Canada |
| 1998 | Monterey, CA |
| 1997 | Houston, TX |
| 1996 | Washington, DC |
| 1995 | Minneapolis, MN |
| 1994 | Pomona, NJ |
| 1993 | Troy, MI |
| 1992 | Atlanta, GA |
| 1991 | Chicago, IL |
| 1990 | Washington, DC |
| 1989 | Nashville, TN |
| 1988 | Saginaw, MI |
| 1987 | Stanford, CA |
| 1986 | Toronto, Canada |
| 1985 | Kent, OH |
| 1984 | Glassboro, NJ |
| 1983 | Bowie, MD |
| 1982 | Minneapolis, MN |
| 1981 | Chicago, IL |
| 1980 | Detroit, MI |
| 1979 | New Brunswick, NJ |
| 1978 | Wheaton, MD |
| 1977 | Riverdale, NJ |
| 1976 | Toronto, Canada |
| 1975 | Riverdale, NJ |
| 1974 | College Park, MD |
| 1973 | Riverdale, NJ |
| 1972 | Riverdale, NJ |
| 1971 | Hartford, CT |
| 1970 | Hartford, CT |
OSA Regional Oriya Drama Festival
OSA Drama Festival started in 2009 for the first time. Dr Gopal Mohanty was the festival coordinator. The concept of regional drama festival went into effect during the month of April 2009 at 3 sites, Texas, Michigan and Washington DC. OSA is planning to continue the tradition in its present form or in an improved form (combining music and dances) for the future.
| Year | Region | Drama | Chapter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | South-West Region | Athacha Chanakya(ଅଥଚ ଚାଣକ୍ୟ) | Dallas |
| Sahitya Gadia Manthana(ସାହିତ୍ୟ ଗଡିଆ ମନ୍ଥନ ) | Austin Austin Austin is the capital of the U.S. state of Texas.Austin may also refer to:-In the United States:*Austin, Arkansas*Austin, Colorado*Austin, Chicago, Illinois*Austin, Indiana*Austin, Minnesota*Austin, Nevada*Austin, Oregon... |
||
| E ki Nataka(ଏ କି ନାଟକ ) | Arkansas Arkansas Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River... |
||
| Mom, Ma Aau Madam(ମୋମ୍, ମା ଆଉ ମାଡାମ୍) | Houston | ||
| Eastern Region | Gitinatya Sri Ganesha(ଗୀତିନାଟ୍ୟ ଶ୍ରୀ ଗଣେଶ) | DC Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution.... |
|
| Pathoi Bohu(ପାଠୋଇ ବୋହୁ) | DC Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution.... |
||
| Gua Nimantran(ଗୁଆ ନିମନ୍ତ୍ରଣ) | NY New York New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east... /NJ New Jersey New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware... |
||
| Northern Region | Banna Nasika(ବନ ନାଶିକ) | Canada Canada Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean... |
|
| Gitinatya Mahisa Mardini(ଗୀତିନାଟ୍ୟ ମହିଶା ମର୍ଦିନୀ) | MI Michigan Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake".... |
||
| 2010 | South-West Region | Kalakara Natabara Babunkara Nata(କଳାକାର ନଟବର ବାବୁନକର ନାଟ) | Dallas |
| Saur Jagatare Ulka Pata(ସୌର ଜଗତରେ ଉଲ୍କା ପାତ) | Arkansas Arkansas Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River... |
||
| Habani Na, Habana Aau(ହବନୀ ନା, ହବନା ଆଉ ) | Houston | ||
| Eastern Region | Kanchi Abhijan(କାଂଚୀ ଅଭିଯାନ) | OSNE Junior artists | |
| Dasanana: Naka Kata Upakhyana(ଦସାନନ : ନାକ କଟା ଉପାଖ୍ୟାନ) | NY New York New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east... /NJ New Jersey New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware... |
||
| Dinu Kaka Thiika Kahuthile(ଦିନୁ କାକା ଠିକ୍ କହୁଥିଲେ ) | OSNE Senior artists | ||
| North-Central Region | Uchit Charcha(ଉଚିତ୍ ଚର୍ଚା) | Milwaukee | |
| Gosein Mahatma(ଗୋସେଇଁ ମହାତ୍ମା) | Detroit | ||
| Jaha Hale Hau(ଯାହା ହେଲେ ହଉ) | Unknown | ||
| Northern Region | Unknown | Canada Canada Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean... |
|
| Unknwon | MI Michigan Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake".... |