Rethinking Kosli Identity: Language, Literature and Culture of Western Odisha
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Type
Article
Date
2018-03
Journal Title
Social Trends
Journal Editor
Roy, Sanjay K.
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of North Bengal
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Kumar, T. (2018). Rethinking Kosli Identity: Language, Literature and Culture of Western Odisha. Social Trends, 5, 39–63. https://ir.nbu.ac.in/handle/123456789/3509
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Abstract
Western Odisha’ once upon a time, formed a part of the ancient Koshal
kingdom having its distinctive history, culture and unique salient features. The
proponents of the separate Koshal state movement which is going on in the western
part of Odisha have been mobilizing people and spearheading their movement
along such a historic path so as to bring back their golden past and to preserve,
protect and promote their rich cultural heritage. The people of western Odisha
living in as many as eleven different districts not only ascertain their common
ancestry but also share their common fate of being backward and underdeveloped
due to ‘internal colonialism’ including state apathy and ‘coastal conspiracy’.
Nevertheless, they are struggling and mobilizing forcefully to deconstruct their
stigmatized identity and asserting today a unique ‘Kosli identity’, which is
increasingly being recognized world over. And it is this ‘Kosli identity’ - which the
leaders of the Koshal movement are using to garner people’s support and galvanize
Kosli consciousness and ‘Kosli nationalism’ - the emblematic chord of the demand
for a separate Kosal state. It is, therefore, that we discuss in the present article, some
of the significant markers of what constitute Kosli identity in terms of a) Kosli
language and literature and b) Kosli culture.
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Edition
Volume
ISBN No
Volume Number
5
Issue Number
ISSN No
2348-6538
eISSN No
Pages
Pages
39 - 63