Orissa Book Emporium is an established publishing organization of Odisha. It has been serving Odia literature for the last 83 years. This popular publishing organization has published more than 500 books worth the name. This organization has earned a name for itself in the field of publishing text books. The role of Orissa Book Emporium in publishing 'Varnabodha', dictionary and collected writing is incomparable.
Orissa Book Emporium was established in 1940. It was established by Ramachandra Kar, the cousin (paternal uncle's son) of Bagmi Biswanath Kar, the first secretary of Utkal Sahitya Samaj(1903) and the editor of 'Utkal Sahitya' magazine. The publishing organization set out to bring about a revolution in the field of publication of Odia language and literature as well as Odia text books. That was the auspicious day of Kumar Purnima. 'Sahaja Odia Shikshya' was the first book published by Ramachandra Kar. It had been introduced in the Shishu (nursery) classes.
From 1940 to 2023- it has carved out a niche for itself during this long journey of 83 years. Ramachandra Kar managed the organization . Both Ramachandra Kar and Debabrata Kar have made substantial contribution to Odia literature though their writings too. Both in the field of publication and writing books these two talented persons have left their indelible mark.
Orissa Book Emporium has committed itself to the improvement of Odia literature and education. It has published many books worth the name such as 'Barnabodha', Kanta Sahityamala'(Kantakabi Laxmikanta Mohapatra Granthabali), 'Odia Bhasa Byakarana Sourava', 'Abhinaba Sarala Utkal Abhidhan', 'Raymond Dictionary', ' Saraswata Chitralipi'. This organization has enriched almost all the aspects of Odia literature. It has been publishing essays, books of criticism, children's literature, translated works, autobiographies, collected works, collections of short stories, religious literature, books of poetry, science books, folk literature, dictionary etc.
Celebration of Platinum Jubilee (seven five years) of Orissa Book Emporium reminds us of its long journey. It is going to add a new dimension to the tradition of the world of publication.