The Odia Society of Singapore (OSS) marked Utkal Divas 2026 with a vibrant celebration on April 4, bringing together more than 300 members of the Odia diaspora at the Global Indian International School Auditorium.
The annual event commemorates the formation of the eastern Indian state of Odisha and highlights its rich cultural heritage, traditions and strong community spirit in Singapore.
The evening began with the ceremonial lighting of a lamp and floral offerings to Lord Jagannath, followed by a welcome address from OSS president Subrat Nayak, who emphasised the organisation’s ongoing efforts to promote Odia culture across Singapore.
The celebration was attended by Guest of Honour and India’s High Commissioner to Singapore, Shilpak Ambule, along with representatives from the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, Indian banks and leaders from various community organisations.
In his address, Dr Ambule underscored the strong and growing ties between India and Singapore, pointing to recent high-level visits, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip to Singapore in 2024, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s visit to India in early 2025, and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s visit to India later the same year.
He also highlighted the special connection between Odisha and Singapore, noting President Tharman’s visit to the state.
The High Commissioner commended OSS for its efforts to showcase Odisha’s cultural richness, particularly through the One District One Product exhibition, which featured an array of traditional handlooms, handicrafts and artisanal products.
The showcase drew widespread appreciation from attendees for its blend of heritage and economic significance.
A standout highlight of the evening was a live sand art performance by internationally acclaimed artiste Sudam Pradhan, whose storytelling through sand captivated the audience with its creativity and emotional depth.
The cultural programme was further elevated by a performance from Indian Idol fame singer Sohini Mishra, whose soulful renditions received an enthusiastic response.
Community members also took centre stage with a diverse lineup of performances, including classical Odissi dance, folk presentations, Bollywood numbers and interactive segments such as quizzes, reflecting the vibrancy and diversity of Odia culture.
The event also recognised young achievers within the community and honoured a founding member with a Lifetime Achievement Award, acknowledging contributions to the growth of the Odia diaspora in Singapore.
Mr Nayak highlighted the organisation’s active participation in community initiatives, including cultural outreach programmes and charity efforts such as supporting SINDA initiatives and medical aid distribution. He called for greater volunteer participation to expand such efforts.
Guests echoed the sentiment. Ms Smita Wargantiwar from Kamala Club described the evening as a “memorable experience”, praising the saree exhibition for its intricate craftsmanship and lauding the sand art and musical performances.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by OSS secretary Promod Sahoo, who acknowledged the contributions of committee members and volunteers in organising the celebration.
