Orissa occupies a prominent place in the cultural map of the Country. The exquisite flora and fauna, the gigantic architectural masterpieces, the warmth and hospitality of the locale provide ample ingredients to make it a primary tourist destination.  Performing Artists from the State have gone on to become international figures in their respective fields.  The indomitable exponents of the dance form “Odissi”, Padmashri Guru Kelu Charan Mohapatra, Padmashri Smt Sanjukta Panigrahi, Guru Gangadhar Pradhan have earned laurels for the State in the past.  

However, the traditional art forms of  Daskathia, Pala, Chhau, Dalkhai, Ghumura, Ghoda nacha, Kandhei Nacha, Danda Nrutya, Paika Aakhada etc, which had dominated the cultural scenario of the state in the past are gradually becoming extinct,  thanks to the invasion of the western culture.  The proliferation of media, instead of highlighting   these forms of culture, has actually done the necessary damage by disseminating the western culture and music.  As a result, Daskathia has made way for Disco and Paika Aakhada has been submerged in Pop Music.  

Little attempt has been made in the past to bring back the lost glory and revive the rich cultural heritage enjoyed by the State.  With this back drop, OTV (Orissa Television), with a view to bring to the forefront the hitherto suppressed talents in the above fields, has launched another Television Channel – OTV Chamatkar. Amidst a fun filled evening OTV Chamatkar has started its transmission from 14th October, 2004. 

This channel is proposed to provide a platform to innumerable artists from the purely local forms of art to exhibit their talent and not only earn accolades for themselves but also to keep the culture alive in the process.  

OTV, which has brought about a media revolution in the State in the field of entertainment electronics, has got a strong foothold in the news and current affairs segment.  Pratidin, its flagship news prgramme show cases the news and happenings of the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. Close on the heels are Orissa Khabar and Twin City Round Up, which are gaining in viewership as well as popularity in the recent past. 

“Addition of OTV Chamatkar is designed to provide the much needed fillip to the local artists from the state to exhibit their talent” “ It’s a small step towards show casing different forms of art which  will  eventually go a long way in reviving the rich cultural heritage of the State”. 

Aptly named OTV-Chamatkar – to do wonders to the rich cultural heritage of the State, this indeed is a commendable step from OTV towards addressing the menace of western dominance in our original cultural domain.