Registered Office:
117, Fontainbleau Drive,
Toronto, ON, M2M 1P1
Correspondence Address:
13, Milner Road,
Brampton, ON, L6W 3A7
President: Amit Nayak
(905) 450 6074, president@canosa.ca
Vice President: Suvendu Mishra
(519) 767 2017, vice-president@canosa.ca
Secretary: Rajesh Nayak
(905) 848 2093, secretary@canosa.ca
Treasurer: Hara Narayan Padhi
(905) 335 8681, treasurer@canosa.ca
Directors:
Nibedita Pattanayak (905) 673 8785
Sujata Das
(905) 672 9773
Lalu Mansinha
(519) 433 0854
Prafulla C. Pujapanda (905) 672 7587
Gagan Panigrahi (416) 223 2756
WebSite and Email:
www.CanOSA.ca
info@canosa.ca
Printed: Sunday, February 05, 2012 8:04:42 PM
CanOSA, has been established since 1971 and has since been actively involved in promoting integration through social and cultural activities. Our vibrant community of over 200 Odiya families residing in different parts of Canada, with a strong desire to cradle and nurture the rich Odiya culture, even outside our homeland, provided the impetus for the formation of this chapter. Particular emphasis is placed on sustaining our culture and heritage, supporting the society we live in and reinforcing the future generation with meaningful values and appreciation of our cultural roots.
Besides cultural events, our community has made a deliberate effort to come together whenever a need has come to help our fellow Odiyas back home in India. Weather it was the Super Cyclone, the drought, or the Tsunami; funds have been collected, rehabilitation projects undertaken and implemented to achieve goals.
Our chapter has played host to many eminent Odiya personalities including Akshay Mohanty, Prafulla Kar, Pranaba Patnaik, Sanjukta Panigrahi, Kelu Charan Mohapatra, Debashish Mohanty, and Lalit Mansinha.
CanOSA Activities:
Bishuba Milan: Our annual function Bishuba Milan is celebrated on the occasion of "Bishuba Sankranti". On this occasion members present poetry recitation, skits, drama, dance and songs showcasing Odiya tradition, culture and heritage. Authentic oriya food prepared by our members is served.
One-day summer picnic: The one-day summer picnic offers all the members a chance to get together outdoors and enjoy the sunshine. Members participate in outdoor activities like cricket, volleyball, kabaddi, Bahu Chori and barbecue.
Four-day cottage picnic and homecoming: Members are always eager and awaiting to leave the hustle and bustle of the city life to participate in the fun-filled four-day cottage picnic on the shores of the scenic Rice Lake and Lake Ontario. This event is a homecoming for Odiya families, who had started their North American life in Canada and are now residing in the USA.
Kumar Utsav: Our annual cultural program Kumar Utsav is celebrated on the occasion of "Kumar Purnima". It showcases the talent and creativity of our youth and young adult members. The highlight of the event is always a drama presentation by our very talented members.
CanOSA History:
Summer 1971: Odiya families living in Toronto, Hamilton and nearby areas gathered for a "PakhAla" party at the residence of Sri Gopala Mohanty; voiced their thoughts to form the Canada Chapter of OSA. In the fall of the same year, the small group of Odiyas celebrated the first "Kumara Purnima" featuring folk and Odissi dance recital. Chitralekha Patnaik, an eminent Odissi dancer from Toronto gave a premiere performance
Winter 1972: Odiya families in Canada came together for the fist time to celebrate "Saraswati Puja".
Summer 1972: A memorable three-day cottage picnic was held. It was a very successful event such that it became an annual event in due course of time. Participants from as far away as the USA were attracted to this event. The annual three-day cottage picnic initiated by the Odiyas in Canada was in many ways a precursor to the annual three-day OSA convention initiated by the Washington chapter in 1983. Except for a period of break, the tradition continues and is a much sought after event.
Summer 1973: Baishaki celebration's featured the one act play; "Pahada Ra Atma Katha" by Suren Mohanty (AIR), presumably this is the first time an oriya one act play was staged in North America.
Summer 1975: The Canadian chapter of OSA hosted a half-day OSA convention with Jnana Ranjan Dash was the convener. Eminent Indian classical Dancer Menaka Thaker from Toronto presented a full-length Odissi repertoire for the first time in the history of the OSA.
Summer 1986: The Canada Chapter hosted the OSA convention at Toronto with Ashok Das as the convener. The unique feature of this convention was a three-hour stage presentation on (Late) Mayadhar Mansinha's "The saga of the land of Jagannatha" through music, dance, skit and recitation. Jayashree Mohapatra presented Odishi.