Kalinga Literary Festival 2025 concludes with glorious performance by Indian Ocean Band

Bhubaneswar: The 11th edition of the Kalinga Literary Festival concluded on Sunday evening with a spectacular performance by the renowned Indian Ocean band.
The three-day event, which attracted hundreds of thought leaders, writers, poets, novelists, artists, filmmakers, and social entrepreneurs from India and abroad, featured several thought-provoking sessions covering a wide range of topics, including literature, culture, art, cinema, and politics.
At the valedictory function, Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao emphasized the powerful role of literature in shaping society.

He stated, “Literature is the true mirror of society, and one cannot imagine a society without literature.”
Sao expressed his pride in being in Odisha, the land of Lord Jagannath, and highlighted the special bond between the neighboring states, referring to their “Roti, Beti ki sampark” (a relationship of sharing food and family ties).

He also underscored the importance of literature in preserving civilization, culture, and traditional values that form the foundation of society.
The organizers also honored student champions in various categories from competitions held earlier during the event.
On the final day, parallel sessions were conducted on women entrepreneurs, cinema, arts, and cultural relations among regions.
Festival CEO Ashok Bal acknowledged the collective efforts of the organizers in bringing together literary minds, artists, writers, entrepreneurs, and emerging opinion leaders from across the globe.

“This initiative has been a success,” he said.

Festival Director Rashmi Ranjan Parida highlighted that the festival’s goal to introduce contemporary writings to Odia audiences had been achieved, marking a milestone event that sets a precedent for the future.

“Our efforts to take Odia literature, art forms, and language to the international stage have received a significant boost,” Parida added.