Utkala Kingdom Utkala Kingdom Utkala Kingdom was located in the northern and eastern portion of the modern-day Indian state of Odisha and also included the districts of Bankura, Purulia and Midnapore districts of West Bengal. This kingdom was mentioned in the epic Mahabharata, with the names "Utkala", "Utpala", and "Okkal". It is mentioned in India's national anthem, Jana Gana Mana. The early medieval literature says in Sanskrit "उत्कृष्ट कलायाः देशः यः सः उत्कलः " Meaning the land having excellent opulence of artists and art is called Utkala(Kala=Art, Utkrishta=Excellent);land of Utkrishta=Excellent-Kala=Art. The Dasarnas, the Mekalas (a kingdom to the west of Utkala) and
Jana Gana Mana of the Congress party session started with a prayer in Bengali to praise God (song of benediction). This was followed by a resolution expressing loyalty to King George V. Then another song was sung welcoming King George V." ("Amrita Bazar Patrika", Dec.28,1911)<br> Even the report of the annual session of the Indian National Congress of December 1911 stated this difference: "On the first day of 28th annual session of the Congress, proceedings started after singing Vande Mataram. On the second day the work began after singing a patriotic song by Babu Ravindranath Tagore. Messages from well wishers were then read