Odiya

Odiya is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by the people of the Indian state of Odisha. It is one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and the official language of Odisha. Odiya has a long literary history, with inscriptions dating back to the 3rd century BCE. The language is believed to have evolved from the Magadhi Prakrit, a language spoken in ancient eastern India. Odiya has a rich tradition of poetry, drama, and prose, with notable poets like Sarala Das, Upendra Bhanja, and Radhanath Ray.

The Odiya script is derived from the Brahmi script and is characterized by its rounded shapes. The language is spoken by approximately 38 million people, with a significant diaspora in neighboring states and countries. Odiya has various dialects, but the standard dialect is based on the Cuttack region. The vocabulary of Odiya is influenced by Sanskrit, as well as tribal languages and Persian. Efforts are continuously being made to preserve and promote the Odiya language and its rich cultural heritage.