Born into a wealthy family in Islambol, Odian left the city during the Hamidian massacres of 1894–1896 and traveled throughout Europe before returning to Istanbul in 1909.

[3] In a 2013 piece written by Eddie Arnavoudian, he proclaimed "Even if elsewhere equaled in modern Armenian literature, Odian's exposure of the establishment's putrid core has certainly not been bettered".

[5] His paternal uncle Krikor Odian (1834–1887) was a respected political figure and one of the founders and writers of the Armenian National Constitution.

[5] Odian's grandfather Yazedje Boghos Agha was from Palu, Turkey, a town notable for its significant Armenian population.

[5] In 1896, before the massacres of Armenians in Constantinople ended, Odian left his then-home and traveled across Europe seeking asylum in places like Athens, Paris, Vienna, and London, and Bombay, before finally settling in Cairo.

Some of Odian's works have been adapted into films in Armenia, including Comrade Panchooni (1992) and Monsieur Jacques and the Others (1964, based on the short story "Geghdz Lrdesě" [The False Spy]).

[10] In 2016 the Armenian Museum of Fresno celebrated the 150th birthday of Odian by hosting an event focused on his life and his literary works.