Synopsis This is a pioneering study on the six contemporary painters of Orissa with an introduction that ponders the ontology and history of the Orissan school of painting. The six representative painters : Dinanath Pathy, Chandrasekhar Rao, Siba Panigrahi, Kashinath Jena, D. Narayan Rao and Ramahari Jena, though very often widely divergent in character and expression, nevertheless present an organic cohesiveness and a world view which traditionally as well as by latest standards, are Orissan. It is this unity of expression that adds a special quality to the present work. The contemporary postmodern scenario of Indian painting with-Baroda school, Madras school, Santiniketan school and a few other schools would seem inadequate for a national dialogue in the absence of the contemporary Orissan school. Oddiyan, as a title, not only restores the Odia school of painting in the contemporary void, but also traces the growth and marvels of our practicing painters.