Oriya, also spelled Odia, is an Indo-Aryan language primarily spoken in the Indian state of Odisha. It holds the status of a classical language in India and has a rich cultural and literary heritage. Odia is the official language of Odisha and is recognised as a minority language in the neighbouring states of Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh.

The language is written in the Odia script, which is a syllabic alphabet derived from the Brahmi script. Odia has a distinct phonological and grammatical structure, featuring three genders (masculine, feminine, and neuter) and two numbers (singular and plural). Odia literature has a long history, dating back to ancient texts like the “Sarala Mahabharata.” The language has produced renowned poets, writers, and scholars.

Odia is used in various domains, including education, administration, media, and literature. Efforts have been made to promote and preserve the Odia language, including initiatives in education and the arts. It plays a vital role in expressing the cultural identity of the people of Odisha and contributes significantly to the linguistic diversity of India.