About
Welcome to this treasure trove of many things Odia and Odisha.
At present it is primarily a digital library of Odia literature featuring mainly printed periodicals and books in Odia language. It also presents some material about Odisha and Odia in other languages as well as translations of Odia writings. The material presented on this website are being offered free for browsing and download with the aim of enhancing the dwindling interest in the language.
The material presented here have been generated primarily by Srujanika. This work was started in 2004 under a special effort called Project Rebati which aimed to 1. develop and strengthen Odia language computing resources, and 2. to preserve printed material relating to Odisha and Odia language through digitization and to make these easily available.
Digitization Process
The first output from the digitization work was the digital version of the Purnachandra Odia Bhasakosha (2006). This was followed by other digital compilations like the Collection of Odia Dictionaries, 1811-1942 (2008), Odia Periodicals, 1856-1950 (2012) and the collected works of many individual writers.
Working with early equipment was very time-consuming. To speed up digitization, after extensive experimentation, a custom-built machine was developed based on computer-controlled digital cameras. Combined with open-source computer programs, this created a powerful digitization system.
Collection Scale
Using this system, approximately 3 million pages of Odia books and periodicals have now been digitized. This includes the Purnachandra Odia Bhasakosha, Collection of Odia Dictionaries (1811-1942), Odia Science Literature (1856-1950), Odia Periodicals Collection (1856-1950), and several author-based compilations.
The total volume of preserved material has now reached approximately 3 million pages. Only about half of this is in a distributable state. The remainder and newly added pages are planned to be gradually added to this website.
Future Plans
So far these have been made available on physical media like CD/DVD/flash drive primarily for the use of researchers and individuals. But this method had its limitations which this website intends to overcome and make everything available around the world. The website also contains some material collected from other sources and reprocessed by the Srujanika team into a more presentable form, the original sources being duly acknowledged.
This website welcomes all to contribute any material, ideas and resources to extend the contents and to enhance quality. Individuals and, more particularly Institutions, interested in taking up digitization and related works like compilation of bibliography are invited to join hands with us and carry the work forward.
About Srujanika
Srujanika is a volunteer-led collective focused on science, education, and social development, dedicated to preserving and sharing Odia knowledge resources.
Beginning as an informal working group in the mid-1980s, Srujanika championed the philosophy of “Learning With Things Around Us,” encouraging children and adults to discover science through everyday experiences.
Through camps, workshops, hands-on demonstrations, and resource materials such as illustrated manuals and the Tarang magazine, Srujanika fostered a vibrant community of learners and experimenters.
In 2004, Project Rebati marked a decisive move into digitization. Combining custom-built equipment with open-source software, Srujanika has digitized millions of pages and now shares that heritage widely through Odia Bibhaba.