Documentary by Catholic Filmmaker Showcasing Heritage of Odisha's Gajapati District Released

Paralakhemundi, Odisha, July 12, 2025: A comprehensive documentary titled Mo Gajapati ("My Gajapati"), directed and produced by young Catholic filmmaker Sugyan Sagar, was released on July 5, 2025, by Bijay Kumar Dash, Collector of Gajapati district, at the District Collectorate in Paralakhemundi, Odisha. The film explores the rich tapestry of the Gajapati district’s art, culture, history, literature, geography, festivals, religion, architecture, and developmental progress. It aims to showcase the district’s identity and legacy to audiences across India and around the world.

Sugyan Sagar, a member of Mohana Parish in the Diocese of Berhampur and an alumnus of the School of Communications at XIM University, Bhubaneswar, filmed the documentary in remote areas of the Gajapati district to authentically capture the region’s socio-cultural fabric. He plans to screen the three-and-a-half-hour film in educational institutions and film festivals both nationally and internationally. He will also submit it to state and central museums for preservation.

Sagar said the documentary offers in-depth insight into the district’s unique heritage and will serve as a valuable resource for students, researchers, and the general public. He also expressed his gratitude to the Gajapati District Administration, the Government of Odisha, and the Government of India for their support and voiced hope for continued governmental collaboration in future documentary projects.

Born on July 7, 1990, into a Catholic family, Sagar is the second of three children of Pravakar and Binoyeeni Nayak. After completing his B.Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Centurion University, Paralakhemundi, in 2018, he pursued a Master's degree in Mass Communication at XIM University, Bhubaneswar, graduating in 2023. He currently serves as the Deputy Secretary of the Commission for Communication in the Diocese of Berhampur and edits Anugraha Patrika (Letter of Blessings), the diocesan newsletter.

Commending the young filmmaker, Fr. Vijayan Bijay Kumar, S.J., Dean of the School of Communication at XIM University, praised Sagar’s strong interest in society and the field of communication. “His honest work transforms into public interest. May God bless his initiatives,” he stated.

Fr. S. Antony Raj, S.J., the Registrar of XIM University, expressed pride in Sagar’s achievement and called it “a matter of honour for the university's School of Communication”.

District Cultural Officer Archana Kumari Mangaraj affirmed the documentary’s scholarly value, stating, “This film will greatly benefit researchers and highlight the district’s natural beauty, arts, and culture.”

By Fr. Purushottam Nayak