Utkal University organized a two-day seminar and screening of the documentary on “Crops of Life: Cereal Cultures in the Highlands of Odisha, India” on 6th and 7th February 2026 at G9, CII Building, Utkal University and Department of Anthropology, Utkal University.
The programme highlighted the intimate linkages between cereal cultivation, culture, and community life in the highland regions of Odisha, with a focus on issues of livelihood, indigenous knowledge, and sustainable food systems.
The seminar featured distinguished international Professors as key speakers. Prof. Roland Hardenberg from Goethe University, Germany, shared his reflections on ritual, economy, and cereal cultures in the highlands of Odisha, drawing on long-term anthropological engagement in the region. Prof. Peter Berger from Groningen University, Netherlands, spoke on the significance of highland cereal cultivation for community identity, religious practices, and resilience amid socio-economic change.
The Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of Utkal University has expressed his gratitude and proposed the key speakers to continue this collaboration with other departments of our university in future and also bring up with more research work for our faculty, students and scholars. Dr. Bijayini Mohanty (Anthropology Department at Utkal University), who has conducted research at the Frobenius Institute in the past, gave the “Vote of Thanks.”
Following the formal address and felicitation of the guest on the dais, the film “Crops of Life: Cereal Cultures in the Highlands of Odisha, India” was screened for faculty members, research scholars, and students. The film provided a nuanced visual narrative of how cereal crops in the highlands are embedded in everyday labour, ritual life, seasonal rhythms, and local ecological knowledge. Participants responded enthusiastically to the screening, noting its value for teaching, research, and policy discussions on food security and sustainable agriculture in Odisha.
Members associated with the project and the seminar are:
- Prof. Jagneswar Dandpat, Vice-Chancellor of Utkal University, Guest of Honor
- Prof. Mitali Chinara, Chairperson of the P.G. Council of Utkal University, Guest of Honor
- Prof. Roland Hardenburg, Frobenius Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Prof. Peter Berger, University of Groningen, Netherlands
- Dr. Suresh Chandra Murmu, Head, Department of Anthropology, Utkal University
- Prof. Kanhu Charan Satatapathy, Department of Anthropology, Utkal University
- Prof. Prasanna Kumar Patra, Department of Anthropology, Utkal University
- Prof. Debendra Kumar Biswal, Department of Anthropology, Utkal University
- Dr. Priyanka Khurana, Department of Anthropology, Utkal University
- Mr. Subrat Kumar Naik, Department of Anthropology, Utkal University
- Dr. Bijayini Mohanty, Department of Anthropology, Utkal University
- Dr. Paramananda Naik, Department of Anthropology, Utkal University
- Prof. Sanjay Sarangi, International Office, Utkal University
Cereal Cultures 