- published: 05 Sep 2011
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Cuttack (/ˈkʌtək/ ( listen); Oriya: କଟକ [kɔʈɔkɔ]) is the former capital and the largest city of the state of Orissa, India. It is the headquarters of Cuttack district and is located about 28 km to the north east of Bhubaneswar, the capital of Orissa. The name of the city is an anglicised form of Kataka that literally means The Fort, a reference to the ancient Barabati Fort around which the city developed. The city is spread across an area of 398 km2 (154 sq mi) and is situated at the beginning of the Mahanadi river delta. The city consists of 54 wards; in south it starts from Phulnakhara to Salipur, and in east it begins from Bidyadharpur to Choudwar.
The name Kataka is derived from Sanskrit, and means a military establishment/ camp/ bunker. The city was known as Bidanasi Katak (meaning Bidanasi Military Base) during the days when Barabati Fort was in existence. Bidanasi is now a ward in Cuttack city.
Established in 989 AD, Cuttack was the seat of government in Orissa for close to a thousand years before its burgeoning size forced the creation of a new capital at Bhubaneswar in 1948. The two cities are collectively referred to as the Twin Cities . Cuttack is famous for its unique silver filigree works and textiles of woven. It also famous for Dussehra. Dussehra in Cuttack city is famous for its silver and gold Medhas that one cannot get to see anywhere in India. The goddesses look very beautiful in their idols, which are adorned with huge amounts of gold and silver ornaments.
Mihir Kumar Das, known by film-industry name Mihir Das, is a popular Ollywood - Oriya film actor. He received several awards, notably, Best Actor award for his films -- Laxmi Protima in 1998 - Pheria Mo Suna Bhauni in 2005 and Best Supporting Actor award for his films -- Rakhi Bandhili Mo Rakhiba Mana in 2002 - Prema Adhei Akhyara in 2010 from Orissa state government.
He was born in 1966 at Mayurbhanj. He was married to singer and film artist Sangita Das(died in 2010), daughter of singer Chitta Jena. He debuted Oriya film industry with an art film School Master and then in commercial(non-art) film Mathura Bijay in 1979. He received wider applause and recognition for his performance in film Pua Mora Bholashankar. Though, a veteran actor from more than three decades, he received Best Actor award from state government for his performance in movies Laxmi Protima in 1998 and Pheria Mo Suna Bhauni in 2005.