A 23-year-old from a nondescript village in Odisha is challenging conventional language learning wisdom, advising his millions of online followers to forget grammar if they want to speak English fast and fluently like a native American speaker. Dhiraj Takri, a social media sensation from Chitrakote village in Nabarangpur district, failed his Class XII exam but now commands a massive digital audience with his unconventional teaching methods.
The "Galat English" Philosophy: Phonetics Over Grammar
In a reel that amassed over 25.4 thousand likes, Dhiraj promotes a simple logic: focus on phonology (sounds) and prosody (rhythm) instead of rigid grammar rules. He honed this skill himself by diligently learning phonetics from YouTube for a year after his Class XII results. Starting his content creation journey in 2023, his short lessons on mastering the American accent became so popular that he has now authored a book titled "Dhiraj's Galat English".
The book's tagline boldly states, "Why speaking wrong is exactly right for American fluency." Dhiraj shared his motivation, saying, "Coming from a small village, I always wanted to improve my English fluency. From YouTube videos, I learnt the American accent over four years. Then I thought of helping others like me." He launched his channel three years ago with the sole purpose of teaching, not chasing online traction.
Beyond Viral Reels: Odisha's Wave of Meaningful Content Creators
Dhiraj represents a growing cohort of creators from Odisha for whom social media is a platform for unique, engaging, and educational content, not just flawless grids and algorithms. They are building communities by resonating with people across age groups.
Heritage influencers are leading this meaningful charge. Preeta Rout, an Odia living overseas, meticulously documents every facet of Odisha's culture—from maritime history and forgotten port towns to Ikat weaves, freedom struggles, and Odissi dance. She enriches her narratives with historical references and archaeological insights.
Similarly, Shakti Prasad Badajena, a commodities trader in Southeast Asia, posts daily videos on Indic history and heritage, subjects often absent from mainstream education. "I believe unless we are aware of our backgrounds, we lack confidence about what we can do or achieve. That is the reason behind my posts," he explained. Of his seven weekly videos, three to four focus on the legacy of ancient Kalinga (Odisha).
Odia-Language Success and Everyday Humor
While Preeta and Shakti use English to reach a global audience, creators using the Odia language have found massive local success. Pinkirani Bandha, a 28-year-old housewife from Bhadrak's Paliabindha village, started creating raw, relatable videos in 2021 to cope with postpartum challenges. She now has lakhs of followers for her content on rural traditions, from smearing hut walls with cow dung to preparing festive pithas.
"My content is largely rooted in Odia culture... It is interesting to receive responses from Odias living in other states, who feel these reels give them a sense of their own roots," Pinkirani said.
In Puri, software engineer Bhanu Prasad Mohapatra documents and promotes the traditions of the Jagannath Temple, local akhadas, and the Sahi Jata festival. Meanwhile, a breed of comedians is infusing daily life with humor. A group from Cuttack, including siblings Krishna Priyadarshini Routray, Sibani, Mahaprasad, and their friends, tackle everyday situations with a comical twist, gaining fanbases of 50,000 to 200,000 followers.
Manish Ranjan Ratha, a BSc nursing student from Keonjhar, gains traction by sharing humorous exchanges in local dialects from haats and roadside kiosks. "People come to my page for humour because social media is... also about building a genuine community that looks forward to your content," he stated.
Together, these creators from Odisha are redefining the digital landscape, proving that authentic, educational, and culturally rich content can build powerful, engaged communities online.
