Bandē Utkaḷa Jananī[1][2] is an Odia patriotic poem written by Laxmikanta Mohapatra in 1912.

[3] Odisha became the first state in British India to be formed on linguistic basis on 1 April 1936.

[4] The modern notation was arranged by the Odissi musician Balakrushna Dash[5] which was adopted as the state anthem.

[citation needed] The poem envisages a Utkala who maintains her self-respect and dignity from a position of confidence and strength rather than insecurity and fear.

In the early 1990s, the then Chief Minister of Odisha Biju Patnaik requested the then Speaker of Odisha Legislative Assembly Yudhistir Das that the adoption of the song be played at the end of the Assembly Session.

In 1994, at an all-party meeting presided by Das, the song was adopted to be played and sung at the valedictory session of the Odisha Legislative Assembly.

[9] It was a long standing demand of people of the state to accord state song status to this poem which has been passed by the State cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik after the Odias across the globe had come together on the clarion of Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik to sing Bande Utkala Janani on 5:30 pm of May 30 to boost the morale of frontline workers or COVID-19 warriors tackling the coronavirus outbreak.

Bath’d art Thou by the sacred Sea, Thy shores adorned with trees tall and green, Balmy breeze blowing by beauteous streams, O Mother!

Thou art Eye to Erudition enow, Sacred Abode to saints and seers, O Mother!

Thou Home to the valiant heroes of Utkala, Thy frame crimsoned with enemies' blood, Prime Darling of the whole universe, O Mother!