Kalahandi
Encyclopedia
Kalahandi, is a district of Orissa
in India
. The region had a glorious past and great civilization in ancient time. Archaeological evidence of stone age and Iron Age human settlement has been recovered from the region. Asurgarh offered an advanced, well civilized, cultured and urban human settlement about 2000 years ago in the region. In South - Asia it is believed that the lands of Kalahandi district and Koraput district
were the ancient places where people started cultivation of paddy. In ancient time it was known as Mahakantara (meaning Great Forest) and Karunda Mandal, which means treasure of precious stones like karandam (Manik), Garnet (red stone), Beruz, Neelam (blue stone), and Alexandra etc. Manikeswari (the goddess of Manikya or Karandam) is the clan deity of Kalahandi may also signify its historical name. It was a princely state in British India and in post independence period it merged with Orissa state in India as Kalahandi district comprising current Kalahandi district and Nuapada district
. In 1967, Kashipur block from Kalahandi district was transferred to Rayagada district
for administrative reason. In 1980s, Kalahandi name became associated with backwardness and starvation death, which is known as "Kalahandi Syndrome". Despite its backwardness its one of the rich region in terms of history, agriculture, forest resources, gemstone, bauxite, folk dance,folk music, folklore, handicrafts and arts. In 1993, Nuapada sub-division was carved out as a separate district, but Kalahandi (Lok Sabha constituency)
continues to constitute present Kalahandi district and Nuapada district
together.
is being documented in Kalahandi, like Moter river basin in Dharamgarh
region. One of the largest size axe of late stone age culture has been recovered from Kalahandi. Tel river civilization put light towards a great civilization existing in Kalahandi in the past that is recently getting explored. The discovered archaeological wealth of Tel Valley suggest a well civilized, urbanized, cultured people inhabited on this land mass around 2000 years ago and Asurgarh was its capital. Kalahandi along with Koraput and Bastar was part of Kantara referred in Ramayana and Mahabharata. In 4th century B.C. Kalahandi region was known as Indravana from where precious gem-stones and diamond were collected for the imperial Maurya treasury. During the period of Maurya emperor Ashoka, Kalahandi along with Koraput and Bastar region was called Atavi Land. This land was unconquered as per Ashokan record. In the beginning of Chrisitan era probably it was known as Mahavana. In 4th Century A.D. Vyaghraraja was ruling over Mahakantara comprising Kalahandi, undivided Koraput and Bastar region. Asurgarh was capital of Mahakantara. After Vyaghraraja, the Nala kings like Bhavadatta Varman, Arthapati and Skanda Varman ruled over south part of this region up to about 500 A.D., the territory was known as Nalavadi-visaya and rest of Mahakantara, lower part of Tel river valley was ruled by king Tastikara and his scions, the kingdom was known as Parvatad-waraka, whose headquarter was Talabhamraka near Belkhandi. In the 6th century A.D. a new kingdom developed in the Kalahandi tract under King Tustikara, but very little is known about other kings of his family. Maraguda valley was identified as capital of Sarabapuriyas. During Sarabapuriyas in 6th century A.D. Kalahandi lost its political entities and merged with eastern part of South Kosal or Kosal. But this was also for a short period as in succeeding phase it assumed a distinct name Trikalinga. By 9th – 10th century A.D. the region including Western Orissa, Kalahandi, Koraput and Bastar was known as Trikalinga. The Somavamsi king Mahabhavagupta I Janmejaya (925 A.D. 960 A.D.) assumed the title Trikalingadhipati. Trikalinga was short lived and Chindakangas carved out a new kingdom called Chakrakota Mandala or Bramarakota Mandala, which later one expanded to whole Kalahandi and Koraput. Nagas started ruling Kalahandi since 1006 AD. History of Naga dynasty of Kalahandi is the only dynasty in Orissa having a record of thousand years (1050 - 1948 AD). During 12th century AD Chkrakota Mandal was incorporated with the Ganga (of Kalinga)realm and renamed "Kamala Mandala", thus, Kalahandi region became part of Kalinga as a feudatory of the Eastern Gangas
under Nagas rules and continued till 14th century. After 14th century Nagas owed allegiance from Eastern Gangas
to the Suryavamsi
Gajapatis. This territory assumed independence after the downfall of the Gajapatis of Orissa in 1568 AD. According to tradition the Kalahandi kingdom commanded sovereign power over eighteen garhs. It was occupied by the Bhonslas of Nagpur in the middle of the 18th century AD but still it was a Gadajat under Nagas rule. In 1853 AD the Nagpur state lapsed to the British Crown as Raghujee III died without an heir. Then Kalahandi became a princely state under British and known as Karonda Mandal. Maharaja Pratap Keshari Deo, the Ex-Maharaja of Kalahandi, in one of his articles expressed his view that the historical significance of naming Kalahandi as Karunda Mandala is based on the availability of Corundum in this region. Manikeswari (the goddess of Manikya), the clan deity of the Naga kings of Kalahandi may have also necessitated the adoption of the name. After Indian independence, Kalahandi joined with the Union of India on January 1, 1948. On November 1, 1949, Patna Balangir district
and Subarnapur district together constituted a separate district and the Nuapada sub-division of Sambalpur was added to the Kalahandi district. In 1967, Kashipur block of Kalahandi district was transferred to Rayagada division for administrative purpose. In 1993, Nuapada sub-division was carved out as a separate district, but Kalahandi (Lok Sabha constituency)
continues to constitute present Kalahandi district and Nuapada district
together.
Again in 1974-75 and in 1985 drought occurred like the Human Census occurring once in ten years. After the severe drought of 1956 and 1966, the rich cultivators of this area came down to the status of middle class cultivators and the middle class cultivators into ordinary one. They all turned into Sukhbasis. The daily wage labourers and landless are generally called "Sukhbasi" in Kalahandi meaning those who live happily. A proverb for ‘Sukhbasi’ runs thus: ‘Gai nai goru, sukhe nid karu’ which means the men without cattle have happy sound sleep. Continuous occurrence of drought along with the irregular rainfall has resulted in crop failure and thus people became poorer to poorer. The Bureau of Statistics and Economics, Orissa has analyzed the rainfall of South Western Kalahandi and has reported that ‘there is a year of drought in every three or four years’. Along with the drought the problems such as rural unemployment, non-industrialization, growth of population and rapid deforestation are some of the major problems of Kalahandi. Hence being gripped both by nature and men, the rural inhabitant of Kalahandi has found no other way of survival. As a result either he has migrated from his motherland or lived in the wasteland as a crippled soldier. Kalahandi has been in the news since middle of 1980s when India Today reported sale of a child by its parents due to financial crisis. That article led the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi
to pay a visit to the district and brought the district to the attention of the national stage for its acute poverty and famine. Subsequently similar reported cases of starvation deaths and sale of children have led to the announcement of a host of relief efforts and development projects. This backward phenomena despite richnees of Kalahandi was called Kalahandi Syndrome by social workers. Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao
announced the famous KBK project for backward undivided Kalahandi, Bolangir and Koraput districts in 1994. Nonetheless, Kalahandi has not been able to take off despite of hosts of programmes, largely because of lacuna at implementation stage. As the basic infrastructure is dismal state, the development progress is very slow.
Kalahandi is more often used a symbol of backwardness in popular media and among politicians or social workers. Use of Kalahandi in popular literature has been controversial. In a literary conference, "Rajya Stariya Lekhaka Sammilani" in 1994 at Bhawanipatna many invited speakers and local intellectuals pointed out that its not wise to use the name "Kalahandi" as synonym for starvation death as starvation death does not imply image of Kalahandi completely and by using Kalahandi name for starvation death other rich aspects of life in Kalahandi are being ignored. Stavation death was just one side of a coin, like poverty in Orissa or India. However, there are many writers, philosophers, social workers, journalists, politicians etc., particularly in India who are still continuing to use the name of district in literature, articles and reviews. The poem "Kalahandi
" by Dr Tapan Kumar Pradhan received critical acclaim following its publication in the Indian Literature in December 2007. Kalahandi movie made by famous Indian film director Gautam Ghose
received critical award. Rahul Gandhi's comparison of Purulia with Kalahandi had brought political controversy in West Bengal
.
- Bharatiya Janata Party
combined had won all the MLA and MP seats in Kalahandi, in 2009 election people opted for Indian National Congress
except Dharamgarh
MLA constituency, which is largely seen as ongoing political negligence to this region. Mr Bhaktacharan Das, sitting MP (Congress) and third time MP from the district has not received any Union Ministry in Manmohan Singh's Ministry. Mr Bhaktacharan Das, MP during the Chandrasekhar regime (1990–91), was part of the union ministry in the Railway and Sports department. No other MPs in last two decades have made it to any important post of national or state level.Mr Bhupinder Singh the seating MLA from Narla Constituency is leader of opposition of Orissa assembly. Mr Bhupinder Singh, Mr Jagannath Pattnaik and Mr Rasha Bihari Behera have been among the senior leaders of Congress Party. Despite trio of them being in an important ministry like Revenue and Tourism, Agriculture they failed to make it to limelight. Currently Sri Pushpendra Sing Deo sitting MLA of Dharamgarh
MLA constituency is a state minister with independent charge in Naveen Patnaik
Government in Orissa. Political disappointment in the region is raising. Separate State Movement for the creation of 'Kosal' state has been an issue in the region. The 'Kosal Mukti Rath'of Mr.Balgopal Mishra,a former MP7 MLA has been widely welcomed by the people of Kalahandi.
Kalahandi highlighted for stavation and poverty is often marginalized in Orissa state and Indian national politics. This discrimination is thought to be due to national politics. Immediately after independence Kalahandi Lok Sabha Constituency was represented by non-congress candidate for 30 years, the period India was ruled by Congress Party. Thus, Kalahandi Lok Sabha Constituency was neglected and left out of development initiatives when the Congress ruled at the Centre. Indira Gandhi
visited Kalahandi in the early 1980s; Rajiv Gandhi
visited in 1984; Sonia Gandhi
visited in 2004, and Rahul Gandhi
visited in 2008, 2009 and 2010. Since 1980, the Indian National Congress
has been ruling for 20 years at the Centre. Despite late prime ministers Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, P.V. Narasimha Rao, and present leaders Atal Bihari Vajpayee
, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi etc. tall claims for developing Kalahandi, little was done for long term sustainable development in higher education, national highway, railway and industry during those leadership at Delhi. Few initiatives taken in post-independence of India for developing Kalahandi were only during non-congress rule in India such as Upper Indiravati Irrigation Project (during Moraji Desai as Prime Minister of India), Lanjigarh road - Jungarh (during Chandrasekhar as Prime Minister of India), National Highway 201 & 217 passing through Kalahandi (during Atal Bihari Vajpayee as Prime Minister of India), all these projects are not yet fully accomplished.
The Central government of India has established two public sector facotries such as HAL factory and NALCO factory in the neighbouring Koraput district (part of KBK), a Lok Sabha constituency hold by congress party since independence, and an ordnance factory in Balangir district (part of KBK) leaving only Kalahhani among KBK for such development in the region. No public sector industrial investment has been taken place in Kalahandi since past 62 years. Local need in major infrastruture in railway, highways and demand for a railway factory and Central University is not yet addressed. In 2008, "India Today" surevy put Kalahandi among the bottom five Lok Sabha Constituency in Socio-economic and infrastructure development in India.
Kalahandi was struggling for a higher educational institution since independence. Earlier proposal to establish a Government Engineering College in Kalahandi or Koraput region in 1980s was later on shifted to some other part in Orissa for political reasons. A team visited by planning commission to Kalahandi Balangir Koraput (KBK) region had suggested to establish an agriculture college in the region. Since 1988 people of Kalahandi are seriously demanding a Central University in Kalahandi as it is located centrally to all KBK districts and have good railway connectivity to major cities in India from Kesinga railway station. In 1990s when state Government of Orissa proposed to establish a University in North Orissa, people of Kalahandi repeated their demand for such a University in Kalahandi as well. Then Chief Minister of Orissa Biju Patnaik
while addressing publicly in Government College Bhawanipatna said Government could not establish University if people want to establish University in their neighbourhood. But the same Chief Minister later on agreed to establish two Universities in Baripada and Balasore due to public protest making people of Kalahandi highly disappointed. Through "Kalahandi Sikhya Bikash Parisad" and "Central University Kriya Committee" the struggle for a Central University in Kalahandi seriously continued since 2000. Many memorendum were submitted to both state and central Government in this regards during past 9 years. When Government of India announced to establish 12 Central Universities in various states not having any Central University across India which included Orissa, a delegation from Kalahandi consisting intellectuals, general people and politicians met Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik
in May 2008 to establish the Central University in Kalahandi. Mr. Naveen Patnaik promised and asked them to find out land details for establishing it in Kalahandi. People of Kalahandi sent the land details through district of Collector of Kalahandi in July 2008. However, without studying it Orissa Chief Minister unilaterally announced to establish proposed Central University of Orissa in Koraput, though it was expected to come up in Bhawanipatna. After six months the chief minister announced to establish a Government Engineering and Agriculture Colleges in Bhawanipatna. People of Kalahandi though welcome establishment of such the colleges, Kalahandi Sikhya Bikas Parisad and Central University Kriya Committee said its not a replacement for the Central University as estmiated cost for the proposed Central University is 800 crores with an area of 500 acres (2 km²) of land, whereas both Engineering and Agricultre Colleges are estimated to be 10 crores as per Government announcement so far.
and Nuapada district
, to the South by the Nabarangpur district
, Koraput district
and Rayagada district
, and to the East by the Rayagada district
, Kandhamal district and Boudh district
. It has an area of 8,364.89 square kilometers and ranks 7th in area among the 30 districts of Orissa. The district headquarter is at Bhawanipatna
which stands almost in the central location of the district. Bhawanipatna
and Dharamgarh
are two sub-divisions of Kalahandi. Junagarh
, Jaipatna
, Kesinga
, Lanjigarh and Mukhiguda
are other major towns in Kalahandi. Tel is the main river of Kalahandi. Other notably rivers are Indravati, Udanti, Hati, Utei, Sagada, Rahul, Nagabali, Mudra, etc. The topography of Kalahandi consists of plain land, hills & mountains. Kalahandi is surrounded by hills. Its border with Nabarangpur, Koraput, Rayagada and Kandhamal districts are hilly and mountainous. The district is primarily agricultural, with over one third of the district area covered with dense jungle forest. Industry is very limited, but bauxite
and graphite
deposits can be commercially exploited.
named Kalahandi one of the country's 250 most backward districts
(out of a total of 640
). It is one of the 19 districts in Orissa currently receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF).
Kalahandi also is an example of disparity /contrasts that exist in many part of developing/underdeveloped world. On the one side, this district is famous for famine and starvation deaths: this is the same district that is rich with agriculture. Dharamgarh sub-division was historical known for rice production in Orissa. Since 2000s the Indravati Water Project, second biggest in the state has changed the landscape of southern Kalahandi, leading to two crops in a year. Because of this, blocks like Kalampur, Jaipatna, Dharamgarh, Jungarh, Bhawanipatna etc. are witnessing rapid agriculural growth. This has boasted the Highest Number of Rice Mills in Kalahandi among districts in Orissa. The number of rice mills in the district was around 150 in the year 2004-05. More than 70% have been built in the five years after commissioning of the Indravati project.
and Jeypore
.
of Kalahandi has one of the largest ruby deposit of Asia as per Geological Survey of India.
. Kalahandi can be reached from Raipur via Nuapada
or Dharamgarh
. Vishakhapatnam airport is located in 300 km and Bhubaneswar
airport in 450 km. Kesinga
is the gateway of Kalahandi for rail connectivity. It is directly linked with most of the major cities in India, such as Delhi
, Chennai
, Kolkata
, Bangalore
, Hyderabad, Ranchi
, Bhubaneswar
, Visakhapatnam
, Raipur, Nagpur
, Ahemadabad etc. by rail.National Highway 201 and 217 pass though Kalahandi. Luxury night buses are available to Bhubaneswar
, Katak
, Raipur, Visakhapatnam
, Sambalpur
and Rourkela
from Kalahandi.
Kalahandi district has a population
of 1,573,054 , roughly equal to the nation of Gabon
or the US state of Idaho
. This gives it a ranking of 317th in India (out of a total of 640
). The district has a population density of 199 PD/sqkm . Its population growth rate
over the decade 2001-2011 was 17.79 %. Kalahandi has a sex ratio
of 1003 females
for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate
of 60.22 %.
, locally known as Kalahandia . It is officially considered to be a dialect of Oriya language
. Local weekly newspaper such as Arjji and Kalahandi Express publish articles in standard Oriya
and Kalahandia Language
. Hindi is the second preferable language after Oriya. Some of the known and recognized writers, poet and dramatists from the region are Chaitanya Das, Pataraja Padman Singh, Maharaja Udit Pratap, Maharani Asha Kumari Devi, Rama Chandra Raiguru, Brajaraj Singhdeo, Bira Bikram Deo, Lai Rudra Madhab Deo, Gadadhar Mishra, Parsuram Mund, Dr. Someswar Behera, Kaviraj Prayagdutta Joshi, Anup Singhde, Prof. Bhubaneswar Behera, Prafulla Kumar Rath, Akhila Nayak, Bharat Majhi, Parameswar Mund, Dr Dola Govinda Bisi, Dr Hare Krushna Meher,and others.
Other languages include Kui, Bhatri, Parji, Bhunjia, spoken by approximately 7000 Bhunjia
Adivasi
s.
, a small minority being Christan, Muslim, Sikh, Budhist and Jain. 28% of the population are tribal people which has the majority of the impact on the local customaries and influenced the dialect.
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...
in India
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...
. The region had a glorious past and great civilization in ancient time. Archaeological evidence of stone age and Iron Age human settlement has been recovered from the region. Asurgarh offered an advanced, well civilized, cultured and urban human settlement about 2000 years ago in the region. In South - Asia it is believed that the lands of Kalahandi district and Koraput district
Koraput District
Koraput is a tribal dominated district of Orissa, India, and known for rich and diverse types of mineral deposits. It is located along the Eastern Ghats.-History:...
were the ancient places where people started cultivation of paddy. In ancient time it was known as Mahakantara (meaning Great Forest) and Karunda Mandal, which means treasure of precious stones like karandam (Manik), Garnet (red stone), Beruz, Neelam (blue stone), and Alexandra etc. Manikeswari (the goddess of Manikya or Karandam) is the clan deity of Kalahandi may also signify its historical name. It was a princely state in British India and in post independence period it merged with Orissa state in India as Kalahandi district comprising current Kalahandi district and Nuapada district
Nuapada District
Nuapada is a district of Orissa, India.-History:The District of Nuapada was a part of Kalahandi District till early March 1993, but for the administrative convenience, Kalahandi District was divided into two parts i.e. Kalahandi and Nuapada vide State Government Notification No. DRC-44/93/14218/R....
. In 1967, Kashipur block from Kalahandi district was transferred to Rayagada district
Rayagada District
Rayagada is a mineral-rich district in the southern part of the state of Orissa, in India. The city Rayagada is its headquarter. The population of this district consists mainly of tribals.The District occupies a total area of 7,584.7 km2...
for administrative reason. In 1980s, Kalahandi name became associated with backwardness and starvation death, which is known as "Kalahandi Syndrome". Despite its backwardness its one of the rich region in terms of history, agriculture, forest resources, gemstone, bauxite, folk dance,folk music, folklore, handicrafts and arts. In 1993, Nuapada sub-division was carved out as a separate district, but Kalahandi (Lok Sabha constituency)
Kalahandi (Lok Sabha constituency)
Kalahandi Lok Sabha constituency is one of the 21 Lok Sabha constituencies in Orissa state in eastern India.-Assembly segments:...
continues to constitute present Kalahandi district and Nuapada district
Nuapada District
Nuapada is a district of Orissa, India.-History:The District of Nuapada was a part of Kalahandi District till early March 1993, but for the administrative convenience, Kalahandi District was divided into two parts i.e. Kalahandi and Nuapada vide State Government Notification No. DRC-44/93/14218/R....
together.
History
Kalahandi region had a glorious past and great civilization in ancient time. Archaeological record of Tel valley reveals the presence of the primates in its various zones during the Pleistocenephase. PaleolithicPaleolithic
The Paleolithic Age, Era or Period, is a prehistoric period of human history distinguished by the development of the most primitive stone tools discovered , and covers roughly 99% of human technological prehistory...
is being documented in Kalahandi, like Moter river basin in Dharamgarh
Dharamgarh
Dharamgarh is one of the sub-divisional head quarters in the district of Kalahandi in India. It is also referred as Dharmagarh. Orissa state Government has a plan to make this town as NAC area since past decade, but it has not been officially materialized...
region. One of the largest size axe of late stone age culture has been recovered from Kalahandi. Tel river civilization put light towards a great civilization existing in Kalahandi in the past that is recently getting explored. The discovered archaeological wealth of Tel Valley suggest a well civilized, urbanized, cultured people inhabited on this land mass around 2000 years ago and Asurgarh was its capital. Kalahandi along with Koraput and Bastar was part of Kantara referred in Ramayana and Mahabharata. In 4th century B.C. Kalahandi region was known as Indravana from where precious gem-stones and diamond were collected for the imperial Maurya treasury. During the period of Maurya emperor Ashoka, Kalahandi along with Koraput and Bastar region was called Atavi Land. This land was unconquered as per Ashokan record. In the beginning of Chrisitan era probably it was known as Mahavana. In 4th Century A.D. Vyaghraraja was ruling over Mahakantara comprising Kalahandi, undivided Koraput and Bastar region. Asurgarh was capital of Mahakantara. After Vyaghraraja, the Nala kings like Bhavadatta Varman, Arthapati and Skanda Varman ruled over south part of this region up to about 500 A.D., the territory was known as Nalavadi-visaya and rest of Mahakantara, lower part of Tel river valley was ruled by king Tastikara and his scions, the kingdom was known as Parvatad-waraka, whose headquarter was Talabhamraka near Belkhandi. In the 6th century A.D. a new kingdom developed in the Kalahandi tract under King Tustikara, but very little is known about other kings of his family. Maraguda valley was identified as capital of Sarabapuriyas. During Sarabapuriyas in 6th century A.D. Kalahandi lost its political entities and merged with eastern part of South Kosal or Kosal. But this was also for a short period as in succeeding phase it assumed a distinct name Trikalinga. By 9th – 10th century A.D. the region including Western Orissa, Kalahandi, Koraput and Bastar was known as Trikalinga. The Somavamsi king Mahabhavagupta I Janmejaya (925 A.D. 960 A.D.) assumed the title Trikalingadhipati. Trikalinga was short lived and Chindakangas carved out a new kingdom called Chakrakota Mandala or Bramarakota Mandala, which later one expanded to whole Kalahandi and Koraput. Nagas started ruling Kalahandi since 1006 AD. History of Naga dynasty of Kalahandi is the only dynasty in Orissa having a record of thousand years (1050 - 1948 AD). During 12th century AD Chkrakota Mandal was incorporated with the Ganga (of Kalinga)realm and renamed "Kamala Mandala", thus, Kalahandi region became part of Kalinga as a feudatory of the Eastern Gangas
Eastern Ganga dynasty
The Eastern Ganga dynasty reigned from Kalinga and their rule consisted of the whole of the modern day Indian state of Orissa as well as parts of West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh from the 11th century to the early 15th century. Their capital was known by the name Kalinganagar, which is...
under Nagas rules and continued till 14th century. After 14th century Nagas owed allegiance from Eastern Gangas
Eastern Ganga dynasty
The Eastern Ganga dynasty reigned from Kalinga and their rule consisted of the whole of the modern day Indian state of Orissa as well as parts of West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh from the 11th century to the early 15th century. Their capital was known by the name Kalinganagar, which is...
to the Suryavamsi
Gajapati Kingdom
The Gajapatis were a medieval Hindu dynasty that ruled over Kalinga , large parts of Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal, and the eastern and central parts of Madhya Pradesh and the southern parts of Bihar from 1434-1541. Gajapati dynasty was established by Kapilendra Deva in 1434...
Gajapatis. This territory assumed independence after the downfall of the Gajapatis of Orissa in 1568 AD. According to tradition the Kalahandi kingdom commanded sovereign power over eighteen garhs. It was occupied by the Bhonslas of Nagpur in the middle of the 18th century AD but still it was a Gadajat under Nagas rule. In 1853 AD the Nagpur state lapsed to the British Crown as Raghujee III died without an heir. Then Kalahandi became a princely state under British and known as Karonda Mandal. Maharaja Pratap Keshari Deo, the Ex-Maharaja of Kalahandi, in one of his articles expressed his view that the historical significance of naming Kalahandi as Karunda Mandala is based on the availability of Corundum in this region. Manikeswari (the goddess of Manikya), the clan deity of the Naga kings of Kalahandi may have also necessitated the adoption of the name. After Indian independence, Kalahandi joined with the Union of India on January 1, 1948. On November 1, 1949, Patna Balangir district
Balangir District
Balangir District, also called Bolangir District, is a district situated in the western orissa region of India. The district has an area of 5,165 km², and a population of 1,335,760 . The town of Balangir is the district headquarters...
and Subarnapur district together constituted a separate district and the Nuapada sub-division of Sambalpur was added to the Kalahandi district. In 1967, Kashipur block of Kalahandi district was transferred to Rayagada division for administrative purpose. In 1993, Nuapada sub-division was carved out as a separate district, but Kalahandi (Lok Sabha constituency)
Kalahandi (Lok Sabha constituency)
Kalahandi Lok Sabha constituency is one of the 21 Lok Sabha constituencies in Orissa state in eastern India.-Assembly segments:...
continues to constitute present Kalahandi district and Nuapada district
Nuapada District
Nuapada is a district of Orissa, India.-History:The District of Nuapada was a part of Kalahandi District till early March 1993, but for the administrative convenience, Kalahandi District was divided into two parts i.e. Kalahandi and Nuapada vide State Government Notification No. DRC-44/93/14218/R....
together.
Kalahandi Syndrome
Kalahandi hits the headlines in newspapers for the repeated drought situation that has broken the economic backbone of the cultivators. A long history of drought covering more than a century in Kalahandi has occurred. Drought had occurred in Kalahandi in 1868, 1884 and 1897. The famine of 1899 is otherwise known as "Chhapan Salar Durbhikshya". The effect of the famine, according to the District Gazetteers, were of a magnitude unprecedented in any previous famine. This famine left a terrible socio-economic gloom in this area. In 1919-1920 another drought occurred followed by cholera, influenza and malnutrition due to lack of foodstuff. A series of drought in 1922-1923, 1925–1926, 1929–1930, 1954–1955 and 1955-56 occurred in Kalahandi. The terrible drought of 1965-66, which occurred in Kalahandi, totally broke down the economic backbone of the people. Due to lack of rain, three-fourth crop production failed. The effect of the drought continued to be felt in 1967. As regards this drought, the following description from the District Gazetteers is worth quoting.- “The bulk of the population which constituted the landless agricultural labourers became unemployed due to suspension of all sorts of agricultural operations. The worst sufferers were the landed gentry, who, because of the drought, could not reap a harvest nor could they take to manual labour to which they were not accustomed. The pastures lost the greenery and the bovine population therefore was equally starved. Everywhere there was an acute shortage of water.”
Again in 1974-75 and in 1985 drought occurred like the Human Census occurring once in ten years. After the severe drought of 1956 and 1966, the rich cultivators of this area came down to the status of middle class cultivators and the middle class cultivators into ordinary one. They all turned into Sukhbasis. The daily wage labourers and landless are generally called "Sukhbasi" in Kalahandi meaning those who live happily. A proverb for ‘Sukhbasi’ runs thus: ‘Gai nai goru, sukhe nid karu’ which means the men without cattle have happy sound sleep. Continuous occurrence of drought along with the irregular rainfall has resulted in crop failure and thus people became poorer to poorer. The Bureau of Statistics and Economics, Orissa has analyzed the rainfall of South Western Kalahandi and has reported that ‘there is a year of drought in every three or four years’. Along with the drought the problems such as rural unemployment, non-industrialization, growth of population and rapid deforestation are some of the major problems of Kalahandi. Hence being gripped both by nature and men, the rural inhabitant of Kalahandi has found no other way of survival. As a result either he has migrated from his motherland or lived in the wasteland as a crippled soldier. Kalahandi has been in the news since middle of 1980s when India Today reported sale of a child by its parents due to financial crisis. That article led the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi
Rajiv Gandhi
Rajiv Ratna Gandhi was the sixth Prime Minister of India . He took office after his mother's assassination on 31 October 1984; he himself was assassinated on 21 May 1991. He became the youngest Prime Minister of India when he took office at the age of 40.Rajiv Gandhi was the elder son of Indira...
to pay a visit to the district and brought the district to the attention of the national stage for its acute poverty and famine. Subsequently similar reported cases of starvation deaths and sale of children have led to the announcement of a host of relief efforts and development projects. This backward phenomena despite richnees of Kalahandi was called Kalahandi Syndrome by social workers. Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao
P. V. Narasimha Rao
Pamulaparti Venkata "Narasimha Rao" was the ninth Prime Minister of India . He led an important administration, overseeing a major economic transformation and several home incidents affecting national security of India. Rao accelerated the dismantling of the Licence Raj. He is often referred to as...
announced the famous KBK project for backward undivided Kalahandi, Bolangir and Koraput districts in 1994. Nonetheless, Kalahandi has not been able to take off despite of hosts of programmes, largely because of lacuna at implementation stage. As the basic infrastructure is dismal state, the development progress is very slow.
Kalahandi is more often used a symbol of backwardness in popular media and among politicians or social workers. Use of Kalahandi in popular literature has been controversial. In a literary conference, "Rajya Stariya Lekhaka Sammilani" in 1994 at Bhawanipatna many invited speakers and local intellectuals pointed out that its not wise to use the name "Kalahandi" as synonym for starvation death as starvation death does not imply image of Kalahandi completely and by using Kalahandi name for starvation death other rich aspects of life in Kalahandi are being ignored. Stavation death was just one side of a coin, like poverty in Orissa or India. However, there are many writers, philosophers, social workers, journalists, politicians etc., particularly in India who are still continuing to use the name of district in literature, articles and reviews. The poem "Kalahandi
Kalahandi (poem)
"Kalahandi" is perhaps the best known poem of Dr Tapan Kumar Pradhan, the Indian writer and poet, and 2007 it won Kendriya Sahitya Akademi's Indian Literature Golden Jubilee Award for Poetry in 2007...
" by Dr Tapan Kumar Pradhan received critical acclaim following its publication in the Indian Literature in December 2007. Kalahandi movie made by famous Indian film director Gautam Ghose
Gautam Ghose
Goutam Ghose is one of the most acclaimed film directors of modern India. Born in Calcutta. Graduated from Calcutta University....
received critical award. Rahul Gandhi's comparison of Purulia with Kalahandi had brought political controversy in West Bengal
West Bengal
West Bengal is a state in the eastern region of India and is the nation's fourth-most populous. It is also the seventh-most populous sub-national entity in the world, with over 91 million inhabitants. A major agricultural producer, West Bengal is the sixth-largest contributor to India's GDP...
.
Political marginalization in recent times
Politically, the district does not have much importance in state or national politics. Though in 2000 and 2004 elections Biju Janata DalBiju Janata Dal
The Biju Janata Dal is a state political party of the Indian state of Orissa led by Naveen Patnaik, son of former state chief minister Biju Patnaik. It was founded on 27 December 1997.-History:...
- Bharatiya Janata Party
Bharatiya Janata Party
The Bharatiya Janata Party ,; translation: Indian People's Party) is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Indian National Congress. Established in 1980, it is India's second largest political party in terms of representation in the parliament...
combined had won all the MLA and MP seats in Kalahandi, in 2009 election people opted for Indian National Congress
Indian National Congress
The Indian National Congress is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the largest and one of the oldest democratic political parties in the world. The party's modern liberal platform is largely considered center-left in the Indian...
except Dharamgarh
Dharamgarh
Dharamgarh is one of the sub-divisional head quarters in the district of Kalahandi in India. It is also referred as Dharmagarh. Orissa state Government has a plan to make this town as NAC area since past decade, but it has not been officially materialized...
MLA constituency, which is largely seen as ongoing political negligence to this region. Mr Bhaktacharan Das, sitting MP (Congress) and third time MP from the district has not received any Union Ministry in Manmohan Singh's Ministry. Mr Bhaktacharan Das, MP during the Chandrasekhar regime (1990–91), was part of the union ministry in the Railway and Sports department. No other MPs in last two decades have made it to any important post of national or state level.Mr Bhupinder Singh the seating MLA from Narla Constituency is leader of opposition of Orissa assembly. Mr Bhupinder Singh, Mr Jagannath Pattnaik and Mr Rasha Bihari Behera have been among the senior leaders of Congress Party. Despite trio of them being in an important ministry like Revenue and Tourism, Agriculture they failed to make it to limelight. Currently Sri Pushpendra Sing Deo sitting MLA of Dharamgarh
Dharamgarh
Dharamgarh is one of the sub-divisional head quarters in the district of Kalahandi in India. It is also referred as Dharmagarh. Orissa state Government has a plan to make this town as NAC area since past decade, but it has not been officially materialized...
MLA constituency is a state minister with independent charge in Naveen Patnaik
Naveen Patnaik
Naveen Patnaik is an Indian politician and the current Chief Minister of Orissa, India and the chief of Biju Janata Dal, a regional political party in Orissa.-Personal life:...
Government in Orissa. Political disappointment in the region is raising. Separate State Movement for the creation of 'Kosal' state has been an issue in the region. The 'Kosal Mukti Rath'of Mr.Balgopal Mishra,a former MP7 MLA has been widely welcomed by the people of Kalahandi.
Kalahandi highlighted for stavation and poverty is often marginalized in Orissa state and Indian national politics. This discrimination is thought to be due to national politics. Immediately after independence Kalahandi Lok Sabha Constituency was represented by non-congress candidate for 30 years, the period India was ruled by Congress Party. Thus, Kalahandi Lok Sabha Constituency was neglected and left out of development initiatives when the Congress ruled at the Centre. Indira Gandhi
Indira Gandhi
Indira Priyadarshini Gandhara was an Indian politician who served as the third Prime Minister of India for three consecutive terms and a fourth term . She was assassinated by Sikh extremists...
visited Kalahandi in the early 1980s; Rajiv Gandhi
Rajiv Gandhi
Rajiv Ratna Gandhi was the sixth Prime Minister of India . He took office after his mother's assassination on 31 October 1984; he himself was assassinated on 21 May 1991. He became the youngest Prime Minister of India when he took office at the age of 40.Rajiv Gandhi was the elder son of Indira...
visited in 1984; Sonia Gandhi
Sonia Gandhi
Sonia Gandhi is an Italian-born Indian politician and the President of the Indian National Congress, one of the major political parties of India. She is the widow of former Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi...
visited in 2004, and Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi is an Indian politician and member of the parliament of India, representing the Amethi constituency. His political party is the Indian National Congress.-Early life and career:...
visited in 2008, 2009 and 2010. Since 1980, the Indian National Congress
Indian National Congress
The Indian National Congress is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the largest and one of the oldest democratic political parties in the world. The party's modern liberal platform is largely considered center-left in the Indian...
has been ruling for 20 years at the Centre. Despite late prime ministers Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, P.V. Narasimha Rao, and present leaders Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Atal Bihari Vajpayee is an Indian statesman who served as the tenth Prime Minister of India three times – first for a brief term of 13 days in 1996, and then for two terms from 1998 to 2004. After his first brief period as Prime Minister in 1996, Vajpayee headed a coalition government from...
, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi etc. tall claims for developing Kalahandi, little was done for long term sustainable development in higher education, national highway, railway and industry during those leadership at Delhi. Few initiatives taken in post-independence of India for developing Kalahandi were only during non-congress rule in India such as Upper Indiravati Irrigation Project (during Moraji Desai as Prime Minister of India), Lanjigarh road - Jungarh (during Chandrasekhar as Prime Minister of India), National Highway 201 & 217 passing through Kalahandi (during Atal Bihari Vajpayee as Prime Minister of India), all these projects are not yet fully accomplished.
The Central government of India has established two public sector facotries such as HAL factory and NALCO factory in the neighbouring Koraput district (part of KBK), a Lok Sabha constituency hold by congress party since independence, and an ordnance factory in Balangir district (part of KBK) leaving only Kalahhani among KBK for such development in the region. No public sector industrial investment has been taken place in Kalahandi since past 62 years. Local need in major infrastruture in railway, highways and demand for a railway factory and Central University is not yet addressed. In 2008, "India Today" surevy put Kalahandi among the bottom five Lok Sabha Constituency in Socio-economic and infrastructure development in India.
Struggle for irrigation project
During princely state Kalahandi, a major irrigation project was inititated on Indravati river by intellectuals and then Maharaja Prata Keshari Deo around 1946-47. However, in post independence period it took about 30 years until late Prime Minister Mr. Maraji Desai accepted Mr. Deo's proposal to construct the Indravati dam for hydroelectricity generation and irrigation purposes. Many people think such delay was due to Congress Party which was ruling India since independence and was not in a favor of development of a Lok Sabha Constutuency which was represented by non-congress party. After late prime minister Moraji Desai's approval in 1978, the project took more than two decades to be realised and was alleged with various kinds of corrputions. However, the project is a major boost to agricultural development today known as Upper Indravati Hydroelectric and irrigation project. There are still concerns and lack for government funds to irrigate Koksara, Golamunda and Bhawanipatan blocks in Kalahandi through this projects as every year lots of water is released from the dam through Hati river without using for irrigation. Similarly water shades in Tel river for irrigation in Kalahandi is one of the basic demands of local farmers which is not getting Government support.Struggle for a central university
Refer to video Part I, II and IIIKalahandi was struggling for a higher educational institution since independence. Earlier proposal to establish a Government Engineering College in Kalahandi or Koraput region in 1980s was later on shifted to some other part in Orissa for political reasons. A team visited by planning commission to Kalahandi Balangir Koraput (KBK) region had suggested to establish an agriculture college in the region. Since 1988 people of Kalahandi are seriously demanding a Central University in Kalahandi as it is located centrally to all KBK districts and have good railway connectivity to major cities in India from Kesinga railway station. In 1990s when state Government of Orissa proposed to establish a University in North Orissa, people of Kalahandi repeated their demand for such a University in Kalahandi as well. Then Chief Minister of Orissa Biju Patnaik
Biju Patnaik
Biju Patnaik was an Indian politician. Also known as Biju Babu.Son of Lakshminarayan and Ashalata Patnaik, Bijayananda Patnaik was born in Cuttack, Orissa on March 5, 1916..-Role in Indonesian freedom struggle:Biju...
while addressing publicly in Government College Bhawanipatna said Government could not establish University if people want to establish University in their neighbourhood. But the same Chief Minister later on agreed to establish two Universities in Baripada and Balasore due to public protest making people of Kalahandi highly disappointed. Through "Kalahandi Sikhya Bikash Parisad" and "Central University Kriya Committee" the struggle for a Central University in Kalahandi seriously continued since 2000. Many memorendum were submitted to both state and central Government in this regards during past 9 years. When Government of India announced to establish 12 Central Universities in various states not having any Central University across India which included Orissa, a delegation from Kalahandi consisting intellectuals, general people and politicians met Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik
Naveen Patnaik
Naveen Patnaik is an Indian politician and the current Chief Minister of Orissa, India and the chief of Biju Janata Dal, a regional political party in Orissa.-Personal life:...
in May 2008 to establish the Central University in Kalahandi. Mr. Naveen Patnaik promised and asked them to find out land details for establishing it in Kalahandi. People of Kalahandi sent the land details through district of Collector of Kalahandi in July 2008. However, without studying it Orissa Chief Minister unilaterally announced to establish proposed Central University of Orissa in Koraput, though it was expected to come up in Bhawanipatna. After six months the chief minister announced to establish a Government Engineering and Agriculture Colleges in Bhawanipatna. People of Kalahandi though welcome establishment of such the colleges, Kalahandi Sikhya Bikas Parisad and Central University Kriya Committee said its not a replacement for the Central University as estmiated cost for the proposed Central University is 800 crores with an area of 500 acres (2 km²) of land, whereas both Engineering and Agricultre Colleges are estimated to be 10 crores as per Government announcement so far.
Struggle for a railway factory
Kalahandi and Nuapada districts has higher number of migrant workers to other states. Agriculture alone is not enough for employment generation for this region and needs industrial development. Local demands for a railway facotry is pending since last one and half decade. In the budget 2010-10 Indian railway has proposed a Wagon factory to be established in Bhubaneswar or Kalahandi. Lanjigarh road - Junagarh railway line is not yet completed since its approval in 1991-92. The surveyed railway line, Kantabanji (Balangir) -Jeypore (Koraput) via Nuapada, Kalahandi and Nabarangpur districts, needs approval, funding and immediate immplementation.Geography
Kalahandi lies in between 19.3 N and 21.5 N latitudes and 82.20 E and 83.47 E longitudes and occupies the South Western portion of Orissa, bordered to the North by the Balangir districtBalangir District
Balangir District, also called Bolangir District, is a district situated in the western orissa region of India. The district has an area of 5,165 km², and a population of 1,335,760 . The town of Balangir is the district headquarters...
and Nuapada district
Nuapada District
Nuapada is a district of Orissa, India.-History:The District of Nuapada was a part of Kalahandi District till early March 1993, but for the administrative convenience, Kalahandi District was divided into two parts i.e. Kalahandi and Nuapada vide State Government Notification No. DRC-44/93/14218/R....
, to the South by the Nabarangpur district
Nabarangpur District
Nabarangpur District, also known as Nabarangapur District and Nawarangpur District, is a district of Orissa, India. The city of Nabarangpur is the district headquarters. Most of its population is tribal, and most of the land is forested. Situated in the southwest corner of Orissa, it borders...
, Koraput district
Koraput District
Koraput is a tribal dominated district of Orissa, India, and known for rich and diverse types of mineral deposits. It is located along the Eastern Ghats.-History:...
and Rayagada district
Rayagada District
Rayagada is a mineral-rich district in the southern part of the state of Orissa, in India. The city Rayagada is its headquarter. The population of this district consists mainly of tribals.The District occupies a total area of 7,584.7 km2...
, and to the East by the Rayagada district
Rayagada District
Rayagada is a mineral-rich district in the southern part of the state of Orissa, in India. The city Rayagada is its headquarter. The population of this district consists mainly of tribals.The District occupies a total area of 7,584.7 km2...
, Kandhamal district and Boudh district
Boudh District
Boudh District, also called Bauda District, is an administrative district of Orissa state in eastern India. The city of Boudh is the district headquarters. As of 2011 it is the second least populous district of Orissa , after Debagarh....
. It has an area of 8,364.89 square kilometers and ranks 7th in area among the 30 districts of Orissa. The district headquarter is at Bhawanipatna
Bhawanipatna
Bhawanipatnais the headquarters of Kalahandi District.Bhawanipatna is a town of numerous temples dedicated to different deities of Hindu pantheon. Named after its presiding deity "Bhawani-Shankar", it is the most convenient base for touring various places of interest in the district and the nearby...
which stands almost in the central location of the district. Bhawanipatna
Bhawanipatna
Bhawanipatnais the headquarters of Kalahandi District.Bhawanipatna is a town of numerous temples dedicated to different deities of Hindu pantheon. Named after its presiding deity "Bhawani-Shankar", it is the most convenient base for touring various places of interest in the district and the nearby...
and Dharamgarh
Dharamgarh
Dharamgarh is one of the sub-divisional head quarters in the district of Kalahandi in India. It is also referred as Dharmagarh. Orissa state Government has a plan to make this town as NAC area since past decade, but it has not been officially materialized...
are two sub-divisions of Kalahandi. Junagarh
Junagarh, Kalahandi
Junagarh is a town and a notified area committee in Kalahandi district in the Indian state of Orissa. It was the capital of the former state of Kalahandi. Junagarh is 26 km from Bhawanipatna, connecting National Highway 201.This highway recently has been termed as National Highway 26.Junagarh...
, Jaipatna
Jaipatna
Jaipatna,is one of the Town in Jayapatna Tehsil in Kalahandi District in Orissa State.This town is maintaining 78 km distance from its District main city Bhawanipatna and 500 km far from its State capital Bhubaneswar.The town is surrounded by the Eastern Ghatsrange.- History :It is one of...
, Kesinga
Kesinga
Kesinga is a town and a notified area committee in Kalahandi district in the Indian state of Orissa.-Geography:Kesinga is located at . It has an average elevation of 187 metres . River Tel and Uteh meet not very far from Kesinga, providing appreciable ground for summer sand crops...
, Lanjigarh and Mukhiguda
Mukhiguda
Mukhiguda is a census town in Kalahandi district in the Indian state of Orissa.Mukhiguda is on of the Village in Jayapatna Tehsil, Kalahandi District, Orissa State. Mukhiguda is 20.2 km far from its Tehsil Main Town Jaipatna.Mukhiguda is located 54.3 km distance from its District Main...
are other major towns in Kalahandi. Tel is the main river of Kalahandi. Other notably rivers are Indravati, Udanti, Hati, Utei, Sagada, Rahul, Nagabali, Mudra, etc. The topography of Kalahandi consists of plain land, hills & mountains. Kalahandi is surrounded by hills. Its border with Nabarangpur, Koraput, Rayagada and Kandhamal districts are hilly and mountainous. The district is primarily agricultural, with over one third of the district area covered with dense jungle forest. Industry is very limited, but bauxite
Bauxite
Bauxite is an aluminium ore and is the main source of aluminium. This form of rock consists mostly of the minerals gibbsite Al3, boehmite γ-AlO, and diaspore α-AlO, in a mixture with the two iron oxides goethite and hematite, the clay mineral kaolinite, and small amounts of anatase TiO2...
and graphite
Graphite
The mineral graphite is one of the allotropes of carbon. It was named by Abraham Gottlob Werner in 1789 from the Ancient Greek γράφω , "to draw/write", for its use in pencils, where it is commonly called lead . Unlike diamond , graphite is an electrical conductor, a semimetal...
deposits can be commercially exploited.
Economy
In 2006 the Ministry of Panchayati RajMinistry of Panchayati Raj
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj is a branch of the Government of India looking after the ongoing process of decentralization and local governance in the States....
named Kalahandi one of the country's 250 most backward districts
Poverty in India
Poverty is widespread in India, with the nation estimated to have a third of the world's poor. According to a 2005 World Bank estimate, 41.6% of the total Indian population falls below the international poverty line of 1.25 a day...
(out of a total of 640
Districts of India
A district is an administrative division of an Indian state or territory. Districts are further subdivided, in some cases into Sub-Divisions, and otherwise directly into tehsils or talukas.District officials include:...
). It is one of the 19 districts in Orissa currently receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF).
Agriculture
Kalahandi is largely an agriculture based economy. During Bengal famine Kalahandi alone had sent 100,000 tons of rice. During 1930s princely state of Kalahandi had proposed to build upper Indravati project but subsequent merger of princely state with India delayed the project . It got approved in 1978 and yet to be fully completed. In the mean time drought occurred in 1960s and lately in 1980s.In 1980s Kalahandi become infamous for drought, child selling, malnutrition and starvation death and social worker referred it as 'Kalahandi Syndrome. Though KBK project was announced in 1990s by central Government specially for undivided Kalahandi, Balangir and Koraput districts primarily keeping poverty, backwardness and starvation death in mind, undivided Kalahandi district continued to remain politically ignored for various reasons.Kalahandi also is an example of disparity /contrasts that exist in many part of developing/underdeveloped world. On the one side, this district is famous for famine and starvation deaths: this is the same district that is rich with agriculture. Dharamgarh sub-division was historical known for rice production in Orissa. Since 2000s the Indravati Water Project, second biggest in the state has changed the landscape of southern Kalahandi, leading to two crops in a year. Because of this, blocks like Kalampur, Jaipatna, Dharamgarh, Jungarh, Bhawanipatna etc. are witnessing rapid agriculural growth. This has boasted the Highest Number of Rice Mills in Kalahandi among districts in Orissa. The number of rice mills in the district was around 150 in the year 2004-05. More than 70% have been built in the five years after commissioning of the Indravati project.
Forest resources
Forest based products like Mahua, Kendu leaf, wood, timber and bamboos are also contribute local economy largely. Kalahandi supplied substantial raw materials to paper mills in neighboring RayagadaRayagada
Rayagada is a municipality in Rayagada district in the Indian state of Orissa. It is the administrative headquarters of Rayagada district.-Geography:...
and Jeypore
Jeypore
Jeypore, is the largest town in the Koraput district of Orissa, India. Along with Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Sambalpur, Rourkela, Balasore, Puri and Berhampur, Jeypore is one of the prominent places of Orissa. It is encompassed by hills of the Eastern Ghats and the more famous Araku hills on three...
.
Gem stone
Kalahandi was famous for gemstone (Karonda Mandal)in ancient time. Its rich gemstone deposit included cat's eye, sapphire, ruby, garnet, crystal, topaz, moonstone, diamond, tourmoline, acquamarine, beryle and alexandrite etc. The distribution and occurrence of precious and semi-precious gemstones and other commercial commodities of the region have found place in accounts of Panini (5th century BC), Kautilya (3rd century BC), Ptolemy (2nd century AD), Wuang Chuang (7th century AD) and Travenier (19th century AD). Till recently Kalahandi along with Balangir supply gem stone for handicraft work that can be found in Delhi Haat. Jiligndara located near JunagarhJunagarh, Kalahandi
Junagarh is a town and a notified area committee in Kalahandi district in the Indian state of Orissa. It was the capital of the former state of Kalahandi. Junagarh is 26 km from Bhawanipatna, connecting National Highway 201.This highway recently has been termed as National Highway 26.Junagarh...
of Kalahandi has one of the largest ruby deposit of Asia as per Geological Survey of India.
Industry
Vedanta Alumina Limited (VAL), a subsidiary of Sterlite Industries, a major aluminium processor has made major investments by establishing an 1 MTPA Alumina Refinery and 75 MW Captive Power Plant at Lanjigarh. Though this project has received criticism from environmentalists, especially from outside groups; supporters of VAL claims it has brought significant changes in Socio-Economic scenario of Lanjigarh and Kalahandi. The Union Environment Ministry in August 2010, rejected earlier clearances granted to a joint venture led by the Vedanta Group company Sterlite Industries for mining bauxite from Niyamgiri hills making the company to depend on bauxite from outside Orissa. The company's proposal for Expansion of the Refinery to 6 MTPA, which would have made it one of the largest refinery in the world, was halted by India's environment ministry.Transport
The nearest airport is located in Raipur (200–250 km) having daily flights to majority of the cities in IndiaIndia
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...
. Kalahandi can be reached from Raipur via Nuapada
Nuapada
Nuapada,is a city in Koshal region of Orissa state of eastern India. It is the headquarters of Nuapada district. It is part of Orissa, liguistically & culturally.-Politics:...
or Dharamgarh
Dharamgarh
Dharamgarh is one of the sub-divisional head quarters in the district of Kalahandi in India. It is also referred as Dharmagarh. Orissa state Government has a plan to make this town as NAC area since past decade, but it has not been officially materialized...
. Vishakhapatnam airport is located in 300 km and Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar is the capital of the Indian state of Orissa, officially Odisha. The city has a long history of over 2000 years starting with Chedi dynasty who had Sisupalgarh near present-day Bhubaneswar as their capital...
airport in 450 km. Kesinga
Kesinga
Kesinga is a town and a notified area committee in Kalahandi district in the Indian state of Orissa.-Geography:Kesinga is located at . It has an average elevation of 187 metres . River Tel and Uteh meet not very far from Kesinga, providing appreciable ground for summer sand crops...
is the gateway of Kalahandi for rail connectivity. It is directly linked with most of the major cities in India, such as Delhi
Delhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
, Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
, Kolkata
Kolkata
Kolkata , formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, it was the commercial capital of East India...
, Bangalore
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
, Hyderabad, Ranchi
Ranchi
-Climate:Ranchi has a humid subtropical climate. However, due to its position and the forests around the city, it is known for its pleasant climate. Its climate is the primary reason why Ranchi was once the summer capital of the undivided State of Bihar...
, Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar is the capital of the Indian state of Orissa, officially Odisha. The city has a long history of over 2000 years starting with Chedi dynasty who had Sisupalgarh near present-day Bhubaneswar as their capital...
, Visakhapatnam
Visakhapatnam
Visakhapatnam is a major sea port on the south east coast of India. With a population of approximately 1.7 million, it is the second largest city in the state of Andhra Pradesh and the third largest city on the east coast of India after Kolkata and Chennai. According to the history, the city was...
, Raipur, Nagpur
Nagpur
Nāgpur is a city and winter capital of the state of Maharashtra, the largest city in central India and third largest city in Maharashtra after Mumbai and Pune...
, Ahemadabad etc. by rail.National Highway 201 and 217 pass though Kalahandi. Luxury night buses are available to Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar is the capital of the Indian state of Orissa, officially Odisha. The city has a long history of over 2000 years starting with Chedi dynasty who had Sisupalgarh near present-day Bhubaneswar as their capital...
, Katak
Katak
Katak is the eighth month of the Nanakshahi calendar. This month coincides with October and November in the Gregorian and Julian calendars and is 30 days long.-October:* October 15 - The start of the month Katat...
, Raipur, Visakhapatnam
Visakhapatnam
Visakhapatnam is a major sea port on the south east coast of India. With a population of approximately 1.7 million, it is the second largest city in the state of Andhra Pradesh and the third largest city on the east coast of India after Kolkata and Chennai. According to the history, the city was...
, Sambalpur
Sambalpur
Sambalpur is a city in Sambalpur district in the Indian state of Orissa.It lies at a distance of 321 km from the state capital Bhubaneswar. In the year 1876, Sambalpur was established as a municipality. It is currently the headquarters and the largest city of Sambalpur district. It is also...
and Rourkela
Rourkela
Rourkela is located in the northwestern tip of the Indian state of Orissa at the heart of a rich mineral belt. It is situated about north of state capital Bhubaneswar.It is surrounded by a range of hills and encircled by rivers. One of the largest steel plants of the Steel Authority of India...
from Kalahandi.
Demographics
According to the 2011 census2011 census of India
The 15th Indian National census was conducted in two phases, houselisting and population enumeration. Houselisting phase began on April 1, 2010 and involved collection of information about all buildings...
Kalahandi district has a population
Demographics of India
The demographics of India are inclusive of the second most populous country in the world, with over 1.21 billion people , more than a sixth of the world's population. Already containing 17.5% of the world's population, India is projected to be the world's most populous country by 2025, surpassing...
of 1,573,054 , roughly equal to the nation of Gabon
Gabon
Gabon , officially the Gabonese Republic is a state in west central Africa sharing borders with Equatorial Guinea to the northwest, Cameroon to the north, and with the Republic of the Congo curving around the east and south. The Gulf of Guinea, an arm of the Atlantic Ocean is to the west...
or the US state of Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
. This gives it a ranking of 317th in India (out of a total of 640
Districts of India
A district is an administrative division of an Indian state or territory. Districts are further subdivided, in some cases into Sub-Divisions, and otherwise directly into tehsils or talukas.District officials include:...
). The district has a population density of 199 PD/sqkm . Its population growth rate
Family planning in India
Family planning in India is based on efforts largely sponsored by the Indian government. In the 1965-2009 period, contraceptive usage has more than tripled and the fertility rate has more than halved , but the national fertility rate is still high enough to cause long-term population growth...
over the decade 2001-2011 was 17.79 %. Kalahandi has a sex ratio
Sex ratio
Sex ratio is the ratio of males to females in a population. The primary sex ratio is the ratio at the time of conception, secondary sex ratio is the ratio at time of birth, and tertiary sex ratio is the ratio of mature organisms....
of 1003 females
Women in India
The status of women in India has been subject to many great changes over the past few millennia. From equal status with men in ancient times through the low points of the medieval period, to the promotion of equal rights by many reformers, the history of women in India has been eventful...
for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate
Literacy in India
Literacy in India is key for socio-economic progress, and the Indian literacy rate grew to 74.04% in 2011 from 12% at the end of British rule in 1947. Although this was a greater than sixfold improvement, the level is well below the world average literacy rate of 84%, and India currently has the...
of 60.22 %.
Language and literature
The language spoken by the people of Kalahandi is Kalahandia LanguageKalahandia Language
Kalahandia Oriya is a dialect of Oriya spoken in the region of Kalahandi district of Orissa in India. Kalahandia Oriya is Sambalpuri/ Kosli language with a few alternate words only...
, locally known as Kalahandia . It is officially considered to be a dialect of Oriya language
Oriya language
Oriya , officially Odia from November, 2011, is an Indian language, belonging to the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European language family. It is mainly spoken in the Indian states of Orissa and West Bengal...
. Local weekly newspaper such as Arjji and Kalahandi Express publish articles in standard Oriya
Oriya language
Oriya , officially Odia from November, 2011, is an Indian language, belonging to the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European language family. It is mainly spoken in the Indian states of Orissa and West Bengal...
and Kalahandia Language
Kalahandia Language
Kalahandia Oriya is a dialect of Oriya spoken in the region of Kalahandi district of Orissa in India. Kalahandia Oriya is Sambalpuri/ Kosli language with a few alternate words only...
. Hindi is the second preferable language after Oriya. Some of the known and recognized writers, poet and dramatists from the region are Chaitanya Das, Pataraja Padman Singh, Maharaja Udit Pratap, Maharani Asha Kumari Devi, Rama Chandra Raiguru, Brajaraj Singhdeo, Bira Bikram Deo, Lai Rudra Madhab Deo, Gadadhar Mishra, Parsuram Mund, Dr. Someswar Behera, Kaviraj Prayagdutta Joshi, Anup Singhde, Prof. Bhubaneswar Behera, Prafulla Kumar Rath, Akhila Nayak, Bharat Majhi, Parameswar Mund, Dr Dola Govinda Bisi, Dr Hare Krushna Meher,and others.
Other languages include Kui, Bhatri, Parji, Bhunjia, spoken by approximately 7000 Bhunjia
Bhunjia
The Bhunjia are a scheduled tribe found in the state of Orissa in India. There homeland is the Sunabeda plateau which is roughly between 21° 25° North and 21° 30° north latitude and 82° 35° East longitude...
Adivasi
Adivasi
Adivasi is an umbrella term for a heterogeneous set of ethnic and tribal groups claimed to be the aboriginal population of India. They comprise a substantial indigenous minority of the population of India...
s.
Culture
Kalahandi is a rich land in terms of culture and festivals. Since it is a melting point of South Orissa and Western Orissa with a substantial tribal population, those living in hills as well as plain land, their different culture, tradition, languages and belief along with main stream Hindu culture have made Kalahandi region rich with culture and festivals. The mixture of Aryan and tribal culture makes Kalahandi region rich in its culture and festivals. In pre-independence period Kalahandi was largely inspired to Saivaism, Vaishanivism and Shakti puja. Shakti Puja is largely accepted among tribal, perhaps due to which Kalahandi was well known for celebrating Shati Puja. However, affect induction of Kalahandi as part of Orissa state, dominance of coastal Orissa culture in the state is increasingly influencing the local culture. Celebration of Rathajatra and construction of Jaggannath temple in Kalahandi has been increasingly realized unlike in old days of Radha Krishna temple.Local custom
The majority of the population are HinduHindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
, a small minority being Christan, Muslim, Sikh, Budhist and Jain. 28% of the population are tribal people which has the majority of the impact on the local customaries and influenced the dialect.
Art & craft
Literally 'Kalahandi' means 'pot of arts'. This name has been possibly derived from "Gudahandi Caves" containing pre-historic painitings in red and black colors. Kalahandi is a rich land in terms of art and craft. Stone from Kalahandi is well known to make jewellery. Habasipuri pattern is well established in handloom Saree. Wood craft from Khaipadar is famous for export and domestic market.Dance & music
Kalahandi has the wide varieties of dance forms comprising tribal and non-tribal dance. Among the districts level in Orissa, it has the maximum dance form. Overall Kalahandi life is associated with music and dance. Some of the dance found in Kalahandi such as Dalkhai, Jaiphula, Rasarkeli, Sajani etc. have similarities with the dance form in Balangir, Sambalpur, etc. regions whereas Sari song, Pholia song, song related to nature etc. has similarities with Koraput region. However, Boria song, Nialimali, Kalakolik etc. mostly found in Kalahandi. On the other hand Ghumura, Madali, Dandari, Dhab, Bajasalia etc. folk form found in Kalahandi can be composed songs.- Ghumura Dance: Ghumura DanceGhumura DanceGhumura Folk Dance[ , Kalahandia : ଘୁମ୍ରା ନାଚ୍ ] has earned both national and international name and fame in past three decades, after winning heart of Oriya people throughout Orissa. Its popular music is considered as one of those ancient folk musics, which after struggling a lot with the current...
is the most sought folk dance in Kalahandi. It is classified as folk dance as the dress code of Ghumura resembles more like a tribal dance, but recent researchers argue different mudra and dance form present in Ghumura bear more resemblance with other classical dance form of India. The timeline of Ghumura dance is not clear. Many researchers claim. it was a War dance in ancient India and used by Ravana in Ramayana. Ghumura dance is depicted in Sun Temple of Konark confirming this dance form is since the medieval period. Ghumura dance has evolved from a war dance to a dance form for cultural and social activities. The dance is associated with social entertainment, relaxation, love, devotion and friendly brotherhood among all class, creed and religion in the present days. Traditionally this dance is also associated with Nuakhai and Dasahara celebration in Kalahandi and large parts of South Western Orissa. Ghumura dance is still hidden in the village level in South Western Orissa and some parts of bordering Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Kalahandi region has taken a leading rule in popularizing and retaining its unique identity of Ghumura dance. Ghumura dance has got the opportunity to represent the nation in various international events Delhi, Moscow, and various other places.
- Banabadi: A dance by Gouda (Jadav community) in Kalahandi. It is also known as Gaurbadi dance.
- Bajasal:
- Singhbaja:
- Madali:
- Rasarkeli: A typical Western Orissa folk dance. Other dance form includes Jaiphula, Sajani etc.
- Dalkhai: Similar to popular Sambalpuri Dance, influence of Sambalpur-Balangir region
- Ranapa: The dance has a different name in Kalahandi, it is a community dance by a particular caste in Ganjam, Gajapati, Kalahandi and various other districts in South and Western Orissa
- Dhap: It is also known as Dhangra Dhangri dance
- Shaman:
- Dandari:
- Khotla:
- Dhanra:
- Bhiasalia:
- Dongria Kondh Dance: It is also found in borering Rayagda district of Orissa. Recently Dongria Kondh community drew the attention for controversial Vedanta project and Niyamgiri mining.
- Paraja Dance: It is also found in Koraput, Rayagda, Nabarangpur and Malkangiri districts of Orissa.
Popular Hindu festivals
- Dasra (Dasara): DasaraDurga PujaDurga puja ; দুর্গা পূজা,ଦୁର୍ଗା ପୂଜା,‘Worship of Durga’), also referred to as Durgotsava ; , is an annual Hindu festival in South Asia that celebrates worship of the Hindu goddess Durga. It refers to all the six days observed as Mahalaya, Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami and...
or Durga PujaDurga PujaDurga puja ; দুর্গা পূজা,ଦୁର୍ଗା ପୂଜା,‘Worship of Durga’), also referred to as Durgotsava ; , is an annual Hindu festival in South Asia that celebrates worship of the Hindu goddess Durga. It refers to all the six days observed as Mahalaya, Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami and...
is celebrated among HinduHinduHindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
all over India, but it is very popular in Eastern part of India including West BengalWest BengalWest Bengal is a state in the eastern region of India and is the nation's fourth-most populous. It is also the seventh-most populous sub-national entity in the world, with over 91 million inhabitants. A major agricultural producer, West Bengal is the sixth-largest contributor to India's GDP...
, OrissaOrissaOrissa , 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...
, AssamAssamAssam , also, rarely, Assam Valley and formerly the Assam Province , is a northeastern state of India and is one of the most culturally and geographically distinct regions of the country...
etc. However, goddess Durga is known as Shaki (Energy) and most of the goddess based on tribal and Shaki is inspired from goddess Durga. The major goddess of Kalahandi including Manikeswari, Lankeswari, Denteswari, Khameswari, Bhandargharen etc. are seen as a reflection of goddess Durga and most of the major festivals like Chhatar Jatra, Kkandabasha, Budharaja Jatra, etc. are celebrated during Dusra. Dusra is significant in all the Skati Pitha in Kalahandi and is one of the popular festival in the region.
- Diel or Deepawali: Also popularly known as DiwaliDiwaliDiwali or DeepavaliThe name of the festival in various regional languages include:, , , , , , , , , , , , , popularly known as the "festival of lights," is a festival celebrated between mid-October and mid-December for different reasons...
is celebrated in Kalahandi. But this is getting popular due to immigrant business community mainly from Marwadi community, however, slowly it has entered the local stream.
- Rathajatra: The festival of Rathjatra is inspired from Rathajatra in Puri. Since independence when Kalahandi became part of OrissaOrissaOrissa , 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...
state the dominance of coastal Orissa culture in Orissa state has influenced Kalahandi. Number of new Jagganath temples have come over Kalahandi since 1950 and celebration of Rathajatra is increasing realized. This is also boosted by immigrant business community and Government officials from coastal Orissa and Berhampur region.
- Shivaratri:
- Holi:
- Janmastami:
- Ramnabami:
Local specials
- Chhatar Jatra: The festival is celebrated in BhawanipatnaBhawanipatnaBhawanipatnais the headquarters of Kalahandi District.Bhawanipatna is a town of numerous temples dedicated to different deities of Hindu pantheon. Named after its presiding deity "Bhawani-Shankar", it is the most convenient base for touring various places of interest in the district and the nearby...
- Khandabasa: The festival is celebrated in JunagarhJunagarh, KalahandiJunagarh is a town and a notified area committee in Kalahandi district in the Indian state of Orissa. It was the capital of the former state of Kalahandi. Junagarh is 26 km from Bhawanipatna, connecting National Highway 201.This highway recently has been termed as National Highway 26.Junagarh...
in the Lankeswari Temple.
- Nuakhai: This is typically a local festival prevalent in Western Orissa including Kalahandi. It is inspired from harvesting of new crops and historically came from tribal. But now everybody irrespective of caste, creed and religion celebrate it. Many tribal converted Christian do celebrate Nuakhai in the region. There are many kinds of Nuakhai according to tribal culture, out of which Dhan (Rice) Nuakhai is most popularly celebrated.
- Amnuan: This is Nuakhai celebration for Am (Mango).
- Kandulnuan: This festival is meant for Nuakhai of Kandul (one kind of lentil)
- Seminuan: This is Nuakhai celebration for Semi, one kind of beans.
- Dumernuan: This Nuakhai resemblances that of a kind of forest fruit known as Dumer.
- Kendunuan: This Nuakhai is meant for Kendu, another kind of forest fruit.
- Kalahandi Utsav: Along with the district administration this festival is celebrated in Bhawanipatna and Dharamgarh.
- Paraja, Permanji: This is a private initiated festivals on tribal culture and life.
- Chaitra or Chait Parab
- Bhejinta
- Pojinta
- Sasti Osha
- Janhi Osha
- Beljatra
- Pusparab
- Cherchera
- Bihanchhina
- Poel Uansh
- Pora Uansh
- Nagbom
Cuisine
- Vegetable Curry: Alu Kubi, Alu Jhol, Goros Kobi Nada, Besar Kobi Nada, Semi, Uilmaga, Amrutmada tarkari, Alu-baigan, Began poda, Kardi, Hanua tarkari, badi takari, kardi bhaja, semi-baigan, Kanker mahur,
- Soup: Jhunga, Kandul del, rehel del, Mung del, chana del, badi jhol,
- Sour Vegetable: Main, Mula-main, Amil, Kakharu Sakra, Bhenikhata, Tamatokhata, Aam Chatney, Kakudi Sakra, piajkhata, patalghanta khata, amul jhol, tetel jhol, Aam khata,
- Leaf Curry: Bhajisag, Bahalsag, Kulersag, Chenchsag, Kumdasag
- Snack: Khudma, Chakel, telen pitha, poda pitha,
- Sweet: Arsa Pitha, Podhpitha, Mada, Sujimada, Tilladu, Khaja, Khajaladu, Pheni, Bundiladu,
- Fish Curry: Mach Purga, Main Mach, Besar Mach, Masla Mach
- Meat Curry: Kukudamansh tarkari, Maus Kharda (Mutton/Lamb), Maus tarkari (Mutton/Lamb), Maus Bhaja, Hadbandu
Around Bhawanipatna
- Bhawanipatna: Centuries old Manikeswari Temple, Royal Palace, Chhatar Jatra, Kalahandi Utsav
- Asurgarg: An ancient fort about 2000 years old is 30 km from Bhawanipatna
- Phurli Jharna: Water fall and scenic beauty is 15 km from Bhawanipatna
- Karlapat: Wildlife sanctuary, natural beauty
- Thuamul Rampur: Waterfall, hill & mountains, hiking area and tea plantation
- Permanji: Hills and garden
- Rabandarh: Water fall is 12 km from Bhawanipatna
- Amthaguda: Amthagad fort of ancient Tel river civilisation
- Belkhandi: Historical site
- Lanjigarh: The village has some fortifications with a large moat around. It contains the temples of Gopinath and a female Deity called "Dokari" greatly reverred in the area. The local Jhami Yatra or Jhamu Yatra in the month of Chaitra (March - April) is an occasion when thousands of people gathered and witness the walking on burning charcoal by a number of devotees,
- Mohangiri: Shiva temple, hills and other natural beauty
- Budhigarh: Historical site
- Talguda fort: Historical site
- Mardiguda
- Kusurla and Sapagaranda: Religious Centers
Around Dharamgarh
- Junagarh: Lankeshwari temple, Dashibamana temple, Kanak durga temple, Khandabasha, historical site
- Mukhiguda: Asias 2nd largest Power project, Indravati dam
- Dharamgarh: Paradeswar temple, Bhimkhoj, Nagbom, Kalahandi Utsav, Chaitra
- Ampani: Budharaja Temple, waterfall, natural beauty
- Gudahandi: Historial site
- Dokrichanchra: Waterfall and scenic beauty
- Chura dangar: Hiking area and waterfall
- Khairpadar: Village of handicraft
- Koksara
- Golamunda
Notable personalities
- Rindo MajhiRindo MajhiRindo Majhi was a freedom fighter who was a leader of the Kandha revolution in Kalahandi region in Orissa against the British in India in 1853....
: Rindo Majhi was a freedom fighter in Orissa, India who started Kondha revolution against British in 1853. Read more on Rindo MajhiRindo MajhiRindo Majhi was a freedom fighter who was a leader of the Kandha revolution in Kalahandi region in Orissa against the British in India in 1853.... - Pratap Keshari Deo: Pratab Keshari Deo was Maharaja of princely state Kalahandi and represented Kalahandi Lok Sabha constitunecy from 1950 to 1979. He took inititaive for Upper Indravati Irrigation Project in Kalahandi.
- Professor Bhubaneswar Behera: A known engineer, academic, administrator and author from Kalahandi region. Read more on Bhubaneswar Behera.
- Ram Chandra PatraRam Chandra PatraRam Chandra Patra, IAS is a known bureaucrat, social worker, and administrator from Kalahandi district in Orissa and who has been acknowledged for his simplicity. He is considered one of the known personalities of Kalahandi district, India for his simplicity, public service and first IAS officer...
, IAS (retd.): A known bureaucrat, social worker, and administrator from Kalahandi region who has been acknowledged for his simplicity. Read more on Ram Chandra PatraRam Chandra PatraRam Chandra Patra, IAS is a known bureaucrat, social worker, and administrator from Kalahandi district in Orissa and who has been acknowledged for his simplicity. He is considered one of the known personalities of Kalahandi district, India for his simplicity, public service and first IAS officer...
. - Natyarashmi Prafulla Ratha: Prafulla Ratha has been bestowed with natyarashmi for his contribution to Oriya drama.
- Dayanidhi Naik: Dayanidhi Naik was a dalit leader and former minister from Kalahandi who became popular for his honesty, public service and road infrastructure development in the region
- Kishan Patnaik: One of the great socialist leaders of the nation was born in 1930 into a lower middle class family in Kalahandi. Mr Patnaik worked in the youth wing of Samajwadi Yuvjan Sabha and soon rose to become its National President. He was elected to Lok Sabha from Sambalpur at the age of 32 and was one of handful members who turned the Lok Sabha into a real forum to discuss matters of national importance. He was perhaps the first person to bring the issue of starvation death in Kalahandi to the Indian parliament. Mr. Patnaik never lost sight of this fundamental plight of rural India, and securing the right to livelihood for the people on the margin therefore always remained central to his politics and to his vision of development.
- Jayanta Kumar Behera: Jayata Kumar Behera is a social activist and artist. He is a Ghumura folk dance Guru and has been working for popularising Ghumura in the state, national and international level since decades. Recently he was bestowed with Sarala Samman.
Education
Through WODC (Western Orissa Development Council) Orissa government has been intiated a private medical college with a tie up with one South India based organisation in Junagarh block of Kalahandi since 2004, which has not started yet. Orissa state Government has announced Government College of Engineering Kalahandi and Agriculture College at Bhawanipatna in 2009 but local demand for a Central University in Kalahandi has not been accomplished.- Government College of Engineering Kalahandi, Bhawanipatna
- College of Agriculture, Bhawanipatna
- Government Autonomous College Bhawanipatna
- Sardar Raja Medical College, Jaring (private), Under Construction
- Agriculture College near Dharamgarh, proposed (private) by Sri Sri Ravishankar
Media
- All India Radio, Bhawanipatna
- A High Power (10 KW) TV transmitter with programme generation facility at Bhawanipatna
Establishment
- Upper Indravati Hydro-electricity Project, Mukhiguda
- Vedanta Alumina Refinery, Lanjigarh (private)