The Odisha Society of the Americas


The Odisha Society of the Americas, or OSA, is an organization whose stated goals are to promote the culture of the Indian state of Odisha in the United States and Canada, and to facilitate the exchange of information between Odisha and North America. Founded in 1969, OSA is registered as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization in the United States. The main event of the organization is an annual convention which aims to bring members of the Odia diaspora together to celebrate their ethnic culture. It held an annual get-together called convention, where people of Odia origin from different parts of USA and Canada mingled and shared experiences of ethnic living.
WWW orissasociety.org

Current status

Today, OSA is a strong organization with 1500 or more individual and family members. This is due to individuals stepping forward to support different activities with innovative ideas which, when implemented, benefit us all. The organization has now spread into thirteen regional chapters, which operate as a social umbrella for different regions in the US and Canada. The chapters arrange various activities such as religious festivals, social get together, cultural events and participate in the cultural life of the local community as representatives of Odia culture. Besides these, the annual convention is the centerpiece of the society's activities.

Vision

The society's vision is to promote and propagate Odia culture in Americas by bringing together all the people interested in Odisha.

Mission Goals

The mission goals of The Odisha Society of Americas are:
· To provide a mutually supportive environment for the better interaction of Odia immigrants of North American countries through socio-cultural growth, friendship and fellowship.
· To enhance the awareness of Odisha and Odia traditions in North America through cultural promotion, social events, and developmental activities.
· To facilitate the exchange of information between Odisha and the United States/Canada.

Chapters in USA & Canada

There are 14 chapters in USA and 1 chapter in Canada. A new chapter, California chapter is under formation.
Chapter NameChapter Serving AreaFormation Year
ChicagoIllinois, WisconsinNA
GeorgiaGeorgia2020
Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico2009
Maryland - VirginiaMaryland, Virginia1995
Michigan1988
North WestMinnesota1990
Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire1983
New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania1970 as OSANY 2005 as OSANYNJ
OhioNA
Ozark Kansas, Kentucky, Iowa, MissouriNA
Oregon, Washington, British Columbia & Neighboring States2011
South EastNorth Carolina, South Carolina, GeorgiaNA
SouthernTennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi. Alabama, KentuckyNA
South-WestTexas, Arkansas, New Mexico, OklahomaNA
Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC, Delaware, West Virginia1984
Canada1971

Events

OSA Convention
The annual convention of The Odisha Society of the Americas takes place during the July 4th weekend every year. The main responsibility of hosting the convention rests with the local chapters of OSA. At times when local chapters do not bid for the convention, Odia communities under the leadership of an OSA life member and with 15 or more OSA members do take charge of organizing the convention. The convention serves to bring together people with roots in Odisha to share the pride in Odia culture and heritage and pass it on to the next generation. The annual convention is the centerpiece of OSA's activities. The was held from July 2 to 4, 2021 at the newly built Venue, Houston, Texas. The was held from July 1 to 3, 2022 in Sacramento, California.
Past/Future OSA Conventions
YearPlace
2026Minneapolis, MN
2025Dallas, TX
2024Nashville, TN
2023Chicago, IL
https://osanaconvention.org/
2022Sacramento, CA
https://osa2022.org/
2021Houston, TX
2020Virtual
2019Atlantic City, New Jersey
2018Detroit, Michigan
2017Bahamas Cruise
2016Providence, Rhode Island
2015National Harbor, Maryland
2014Columbus, Ohio
2013Chicago, IL
2012Seattle, WA
2011Dallas, TX
2010Redwood City, CA
2009Trenton, New Jersey
2008Toronto, ONT
2007Detroit, MI
2006Columbia, MD
2005Newport Beach, CA
2004Dallas, TX
2003Princeton, NJ
2002Greenbelt, MD
2001Chicago, IL
1999Toronto, Canada
1998Monterey, CA
1997Houston, TX
1996Washington, DC
1995Minneapolis, MN
1994Pomona, NJ
1993Troy, MI
1992Atlanta, GA
1991Chicago, IL
1990Washington, DC
1989Nashville, TN
1988Saginaw, MI
1987Stanford, CA
1986Toronto, Canada
1985Kent, OH
1984Glassboro, NJ
1983Bowie, MD
1982Minneapolis, MN
1981Chicago, IL
1980Detroit, MI
1979New Brunswick, NJ
1978Wheaton, MD
1977Riverdale, NJ
1976Toronto, Canada
1975Riverdale, NJ
1974College Park, MD
1973Riverdale, NJ
1972Riverdale, NJ
1971Hartford, CT
1970Hartford, CT

OSA Regional Oriya Drama Festival
started in 2009 for the first time. Dr Gopal Mohanty was the festival coordinator. The concept of regional drama festival went into effect during the month of April 2009 at 3 sites, Texas, Michigan and Washington DC. OSA is planning to continue the tradition in its present form or in an improved form for the future. OSA Southwest Chapter Drama Festival-2013 was held at Austin on 14 September 2013.
YearRegionDramaChapter
South-West RegionAthacha ChanakyaDallas
South-West RegionSahitya Gadia ManthanaAustin
South-West RegionE ki NatakaArkansas
South-West RegionMom, Ma Aau MadamHouston
Eastern RegionGitinatya Sri GaneshaDC
Eastern RegionPathoi BohuDC
Eastern RegionGua Nimantran-
Northern RegionBanna NasikaCanada
Northern RegionGitinatya Mahisa MardiniMI
2010South-West RegionKalakara Natabara Babunkara NataDallas
2010South-West RegionSaur Jagatare Ulka PataArkansas
2010South-West RegionHabani Na, Habana AauHouston
2010Eastern RegionKanchi AbhijanOSNE Junior artists
2010Eastern RegionDasanana: Naka Kata Upakhyana-
2010Eastern RegionDinu Kaka Thiika KahuthileOSNE Senior artists
2010North-Central RegionUchit CharchaMilwaukee
2010North-Central RegionGosein MahatmaDetroit
2010North-Central RegionJaha Hale HauUnknown
2012South-West RegionBandhoo MohantyDFW Kids Drama
2012South-West RegionTahele KieAustin
2012South-West RegionItem GirlHouston
2012South-West RegionMayar KahaniAustin Skit
2012South-West RegionPaisaara Maayaa, Karuchhi BaayaaArkansas
2012South-West RegionAkala KusmandaDFW

Publications

Odisha Society of Americas has been publishing souvenirs of its annual conventions from 1983. In 2019, all the editions were published in Amazon.com in print and Digital through Amazon.com, Google Play and Google Books.
YearEditionCityStateGoogle PlayGoogle BooksAmazon.com PrintAmazon.com Kindle Digital
198314WashingtonD.C.https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RJVRXH1
198415GlassboroNew Jersey
198516KentOhio
198617TorontoCanada
198718Palo AltoCalifornia
198819SaginawMichigan
198920NashvilleTennessee
199021WashingtonD.C.
199122ChicagoIllinois
199223AtlantaGeorgia
199324DetroitMichigan
199425PamonaNew Jersey
199526MinneapolisMinnesota
199627WashingtonD.C.
199728HoustonTexas
199829MontereyCalifornia
199930TorontoCanada
200031NashvilleTennessee
200132ChicagoIllinois
200233Maryland
200334PrincetonNew Jersey
200435DallasTexas
200536Newport BeachCalifornia
200637ColumbiaMaryland
200738DetroitMichigan
200839TorontoCanada
200940PrincetonNew Jersey
201041San FranciscoCalifornia
201142DallasTexas
201243SeattleWashington
201344ChicagoIllinois
201445ColumbisOhio
201546National HarborWashington
201647ProvidenceRhode Island
201748Bahas CruiseBahamas
201849DearbornMichigan
201950Atlantic CityNew Jersey

OSA History

OSA Golden Jubilee Convention created History Team. The History Team collected VHS, Hi8 and DVD media of past conventions and events. Founders and members were interviewed. YouTube channel and PlayLists were created.