Smt. Kuku Das has been a successful entrepreneur, community leader and cultural ambassador of Odisha not only in California Bay Area but for much of USA for more than 2 decades. She is instrumental in propagating Odia language (Co-founded Chala Ame Odia Sikhiba), drama, culture in Bay Area California. She has written, directed and acted in numerous plays for kids, adults and brought RDF (OSA regional Drama Festival) to California for the first time in 2013. She also excels as a costume and set designer with her creative ideas and immense knowledge about odia culture and history. She is not only an active member of Bay Area Odia community but also her contribution to OSA in general is commendable. She has served twice as cultural chair of OSA Annual Conventions, Convener of 2010 OSA Convention and Vice President of OSA. She was instrumental in leading “Let’s Learn Odia’ movement in OSA national level and with her advocacy OSA has introduced Odia Vocabulary and Speech contest during the annual convention as well as chapter level events. She has recently started an Odia radio program for the first time in California known as ‘Ame Odia’.
Kuku is a dynamic leader and organizer who instills community pride among the young Odias and is an inspiration for everyone who values our language and culture. Recently, she has brought a new wave of energy among young Odias in Bay Area propagating not only odia but the significance of OSA as an organization.
Association/ Involvement with the OSA Activities at both national and chapter level
- Cultural Chair, 1998 OSA Convention, Monterey, CA
- Cultural Co-chair Northern California, 2005 OSA Convention, CA
- Convener, 41st OSA convention, San Francisco, 2010.
- Vice president, OSA (2011 -13)
- Cultural Coordinator – 2017 OSA Cruise Convention
- OSA Grievance Committee (2013-2015)
- National Lead of Let’s Learn Odia program since 2010.
- Current Chapter President – California Chapter
- Lead organizer of Annual Odia Vocabulary and Speech contest during the convention
