PEOPLE OF
ODISHA
StoriesCommunitiesSeriesEventsAbout

People of Odisha — Documentary Stories from Odisha, India

Ritesh Agarwal
Bonda Women
Odissi
Ashish Mohapatra
Subroto Bagchi
Sona Mohapatra

"I was a small-town boy with big dreams. I never thought I'd build something the world would notice."

Ritesh Agarwal

Founder & CEO, OYO Rooms · Born in Bissam Cuttack, Rayagada, Odisha

Read Portrait →

Latest Stories

Arun Kumar Panda

Berhampur, Odisha

Teaching is all I've ever known and all that I've ever done.

— Arun Kumar Panda

Read Story
Aditya Sahu

Berhampur, Odisha

The house is exactly what he imagined. The people inside are just strangers he’s finally getting to know.

— Aditya Sahu

Read Story
Arjun Mishra

Bhubaneswar, Odisha

He told us there was only enough money for one and it should be you.

— Arjun Mishra

Read Story
Adesh Nayak

Cuttack, Odisha

He never once told me he was proud of me. It took me thirty years to understand what he was actually saying.

— Adesh Nayak

Read Story

Editor's Pick

EDITOR'S PICK

He spent 41 years trying to reach the Olympics. He finally made it as a fan

He trained international champions but never got to compete himself. He waited four decades to finally see the Games with his own eyes.

Written by Debasish Mishra
Read Their Story →
He spent 41 years trying to reach the Olympics. He finally made it as a fan
VIEW ALL EDITOR'S PICKS →

Latest Series

The Archive

Some stories can't be told in a single photograph. Our series go deeper into the themes that keep coming up — on the land, the craft, the communities, and the cultures that make Odisha what it is.

The Archive

Communities

Every city has an Odisha in it.

Odias in New York
US

New York, USA

Odias in New York

One of the oldest Odia communities in North America. Home to the OSA NY/NJ chapter, keeping language, food, and festivals alive since 1969.

Explore Community →
Odias in San Francisco
US

San Francisco, USA

Odias in San Francisco

From Silicon Valley engineers to Bay Area dreamers — Odias building the future while holding on to their roots.

Explore Community →
Odias in Washington DC
US

Washington DC, USA

Odias in Washington DC

One of the earliest OSA chapters, established in 1984. A community of professionals, diplomats, and families across Maryland, Virginia, and DC.

Explore Community →

Events

We are planning our first gathering of the people of Odisha — storytellers, makers, builders, and dreamers. Events are coming soon.

People of Odisha gatheringPhoto by Team Locavore
People of Odisha

Every story, in your inbox.

New portraits and dispatches from across Odisha.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.