Naveen Patnaik's Odiya speech in English - Public Speaking ~ Navjot Singh Sidhu

Naveen Patnaik, the present CM of Odisha has his own strong points. He is also a writer and has published three books. A news about him is making waves in the internet…. !!!

One feature of IPL Extra Innings is Navjot Singh waxing eloquence ~ he is so animate, words flow as he describes things and analyses situations…. Sidhu has come a longway since his debut against fearsome West Indies in 1983, when he was described as a ‘strokeless wonder’ ~ after a few years in his comeback in 1987 Reliance cup, he was sixer hitter….. his language, his style, delivery, expression ~ all have changed for the better…..

Public speaking is an art. Some captivate and keep their audience totally engrossed.  Many when they have to speak in public stutter with anxiety and concern.  Many constantly prepare and practice to perform better.  Oratory is an art and not all politicians possess it. There are many especially in Tamilnadu who reached greater heights due to their power of expression and command over the language.  

Sindhubhairavi is one of the most interesting and colourful of ragas. There have been many popular hits based on this rago. M.K. Tyagaraja Bhagavatar’s renditions in Sindhubhairavi are some of the most refreshing, including ‘Vadhaname Chandra Bimbamo’ from Sivakavi. Illayaraja’s forays into this raga reveal wondrous pastures. Remember the song ‘valaiosai gala gala ena’ from ‘Satya’  in which the fusion of the raga with the guitars and Lata Mangeshkar’s voice made magic; equally captivating was , ‘Shenbagame, shenbagame’ from Enga Ooru Paatukaaran sung by Asha Bhosle – a great hit……… aside, did you ever imagine how those who do not know the language would still sing the song ?

Naveen Patnaik was born in Cuttack and his father Biju Patnaik was also the  Chief Minister of Odisha.  Naveen entered politics in 1997 and a year later founded the Biju Janata Dal named after Biju Patnaik which won the state election with the BJP as its alliance and formed the government.  Since then he has created huge support base getting elected for consecutive terms.   

But he has one problem…… he has been criticized for his lack of ability to speak his mother tongue ‘Oriya’…. It is stated that despite attempts to master the language by engaging tutors, he has been unsuccessful.  He had his schooling at the prestigious Doon School at Dehradun (the Uttaranchal state capital) and graduated in humanities from the University of Delhi in 1967.

TOI of date [17-5-13] Chennai edition reports that : Naveen’s Odia speech in English has gone viral

The report states that Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik’s Odia speech written in English went viral on Facebook on Thursday,

sparking off a debate over the chief minister’s poor understanding of the state language.  “…RAA-JYA-RAW SAWMRU-DHI PAA-IN, BIJU JANATA DAL SAW-BU-BEYLAY TAA-RAW OO-DYAMAW JAA-RI RAW-KHICHHI…. (BJD has always been striving for the state’s progress),” is how the script was written in upper case. It is a page from a recent speech delivered by Patnaik to highlight central neglect.

The page and the photograph of Patnaik reading it on the podium were uploaded by Rajat Dash. Taking a jibe at Naveen for his poor understanding of the language, several FB users made fun of him. “I think our CM has no interest in learning Odia,” wrote one user.

“Ama mukhyamantri thik re ama matrubhasa bujhi parunahanti, sia ama odia dukha dura karibe kepari (our CM doesn’t understand our language properly, how will he understand our sufferings)?” wrote another netizen. “Odia na janile bi ta 15 barsha CM, janile 25 barsa hebe...OK (Patnaik is CM for 15 years without knowing Odia, if he knows the language he will rule for 25 years),” said another.

BJD leaders maintained that his failure to communicate with the masses has helped him in a way. They feel the aura around Naveen that way has remained unaffected, thereby helping him stay in power.

PS :  Naveen’s act is nothing new or unique; most singers have their script written in English or in their language, when they sing in other languages….

With regards – S. Sampathkumar.