
The beginning of Odia poetry coincides with the development of Charya sahitya, the literature started by Vajrayana Buddhist poets such as in the Charyapada. Modern Odia (1850 to present): The first Odia printing typeset was cast in 1836 by Christian missionaries, making a great revolution in Odia literature and language.Ĭharyapada of 8th Century and its affinity with Odia.Bhima Bhoi emerged towards the end of the 19th century.

Of the song poets who spearheaded Odissi music, classical music of the state - Upendra Bhanja, Banamali, Kabisurjya Baladeba Ratha, Gopalakrusna were prominent. Dinakrushna Dasa's Rasakallola and Abhimanyu Samanta Singhara's Bidagdha Chintamani were prominent latter kabyas. Upendra Bhanja took a leading role in this period with his creations Baidehisa Bilasa, Koti Brahmanda Sundari, Labanyabati which emerged as landmarks in Odia Literature. Late Middle Odia (1600–1850): Usabhilasa of Sisu Sankara Dasa, the Rahasya Manjari of Deba Durlabha Dasa and the Rukmini Bibaha of Kartika Dasa were written.Towards the 15th century, Panchasakha 'five seer poets' namely Balarama Dasa, Jagannatha Dasa, Achyutananda Dasa, Sisu Ananta Dasa and Jasobanta Dasa wrote a number of popular works, including the Odia Bhagabata, Jagamohana Ramayana, Lakshmi Purana, Haribansa, Gobinda Chandra and more. Middle Odia (1400–1700): Sarala Das writes the Mahabharata and Bilanka Ramayana.Such works as Sisu Beda, Amarakosa, Gorekha Samhita, Kalasa Chautisa and Saptanga are written in this form of Odia. Early Middle Odia (1200–1400): The earliest use of prose can be found in the Madala Panji of the Jagannath Temple at Puri, which dates back to the 12th century.Old Odia written in the form of connected lines is found in inscription dated to 1249 CE. Old Odia (10th century till 12th century): Inscriptions from the 10th century onwards provide evidence for the existence of the Old Odia language, with the earliest inscription being the Urajam inscription of the Eastern Gangas written in Old Odia in 1051 CE.

The inscriptions are dated to third quarter of 9th century during the reign of early Eastern Gangas. Odra Prakrit or Oriya Prakrit words used along with Sanskrit.


Urajam inscription in Old Odia, royal charter of Eastern Ganga dynasty (1051 CE)
