The Bhubaneswar Club – A Rich Legacy of Socialization

The Bhubaneswar Club – A Rich Legacy of Socialization

It is said that man is a social animal. Man needs the company of like-minded individuals to share his thoughts, feelings and emotions to relax. That’s why recreation as a concept has evolved ever since humanity started living in settlements to form a society. It gives our mind some sort of escape, that is different from our daily struggles for earning our bread.

Being a member in an exclusive club takes the process of socialisation further. It comes with a certain social status, apart from opportunities to form networks for professional growth, leisure and entertainment. The bond formed while interactions in clubs solidify and grow deep with the passing of years. As a result, members of such clubs are able to reap the benefits of being in the company of illustrious people of society by forming a virtuous cycle of growth in their social life.

One such example of a well-known club of Odisha is the Bhubaneswar Club. Being one of the premier clubs of the country, Bhubaneswar Club boasts of a 74-year history with a membership strength of over 3000. The club has been the meeting point of several well-known individuals of Bhubaneswar who hold prestigious positions in the upper echelons of society.

Located in a posh area of Bhubaneswar, very close to the State Secretariat, the Governor’s Residence and the State Legislative Assembly buildings, Bhubaneswar club has a genuine appeal like no other society or club in the city of Bhubaneswar. With ample space for parking, clean and beautiful lawns, and adequate security provision, a first visit to the place will not fail to impress you. But above all Bhubaneswar club stands out for its elaborate facilities, its rich history, a cohesive group of members and celebratory events. Because of these reasons, today Bhubaneswar Club is known as the biggest Club of Odisha.

Facilities for Recreation, Food and Stay

The Bhubaneswar Club comes with recreational facilities that cater to the preferences of a variety of tastes. For fitness enthusiasts there is a sophisticated gym facility and a large clear water swimming pool. For connoisseurs of good food there are different restaurants within the club complex. 

The Veranda is the place where you can casually chat and have different food items under an open space. Then there is the Indian Restaurant where you can get both vegetarian and non-vegetarian delights. With low oil content and a delectable mixture of spices, the Odia dishes at the Indian restaurant such as pakhala, badi chura and aloo bharta are a hit with the guests. If you are a lover of all things Chinese, then the Chinese restaurant at Bhubaneswar Club can take care of your peculiar gastronomical predilections. Rich in aroma, spice and taste, the Chinese delicacies at the Bhubaneswar Club are also one of the most sought after dishes by food-lovers. Similarly, members once-in-a-while choose to frequent the in-house bar which has a stock of classic beverages in store.

Members can also choose to stay at the different rooms available at the Bhubaneswar Club. It promises a smoking-free environment, which is spacious and hygienic. Coming in four different categories – executive, deluxe, super-deluxe and premium; these rooms are recommended for those who choose to visit Bhubaneswar for a stay of a couple of days.

Amenities for Events, Sports-Enthusiasts and Bookworms

Next in the list of facilities is the banquet hall. The hall is not only spacious and lavish but also provides for the arrangement of special events and functions within the Club premises.  The card room of the club is for those who want to play the occasional card games to lighten their mood and socialise.

When it comes to sport, Bhubaneswar Club offers a plethora of facilities. Starting from their well-maintained tennis courts to swimming pool and gym, the club has many options for sports and fitness. The billiards and snooker facility at Bhubaneswar Club is renowned in the world, as in the past the club has organised the World Billiards Championships. Finally, for bookworms, Bhubaneswar Club promises a myriad number of books from classics to fiction, and from magazines to newspapers.

To know more, My City Links reached out to various people connected to Bhubaneswar Club. Below are the excerpts from our conversation.

Batakrushna Tripathy, Retired IPS Officer

We spoke to Retired IPS Officer Batakrushna Tripathy, who has also served as the Superintendent of Police of Bhubaneswar in the past.

Speaking about his experience with Bhubaneswar Club Batakrushna Tripathy shared, “My experience with Bhubaneswar Club is extremely good. I like the club very much. I have been a member since 1974. The club started in 1949 in a private house in the businessman Jhunjhunwala’s house. After that it shifted from there, when I was studying in B.J.B. College, to Type-8 Quarters near the Forest Park area. That was in 1958 and it went on there for a long time. After that the Bhubaneswar club finally came to the current location in 1974. I remember it was a pucca-house which later had an asbestos roof. When Priyabrata Patnaik became the president, he initiated a lot of changes to the club. The club expanded under his regime. Then under R.N. Das, the Swimming pool facility started in the club. Also Bansidhar Panda was the president for some time. He had donated some money for the building of the swimming pool. Vinod Jha, when he was the president, also made a lot of contributions to the club. Jayant Dev was the secretary back then. The upper floor was created during his time.”

Adding further B.K. Tripathy said, “My favourite recreation is playing billiards and swimming. I used to take my children and enjoy swimming. I loved to sit in the bar and socialise with other members. During my working days, I used to interact with different people while being in the bar. Nowadays due to old age, I rarely visit the club but during my youth I was very regular. Back then I used to be the Additional SP of Bhubaneswar. I went there almost every day.”

Speaking of Bhubaneswar Club’s impact on his career, B.K. Tripathy informed, “It helped me in my profession in a big way, as I came in contact with a lot of people. Generally, the intelligentsia and the prominent people of public life come to the club. They come to the various functions of the club which helps in increasing the social circle. When I became SP of Bhubaneswar, various significant problems came up in the region. When an important incident gets covered in the newspaper, then that becomes a point of discussion among the members of the club. Thus, I was able to get important inputs from various important people on critical issues which helped me in my career in the police force. Through social interactions in the club I used to gather various positive information about the society.”

On the negative side he stated, “This club has become extremely saturated due to a lot of memberships.  Before there was a provision for restricting the membership to 2000, but now the total number has reached to 3000. That is why a second branch club is about to open in Bhubaneswar near Sum Hospital region. If that starts, then I believe some members would be diverted there.”

B.K. Tripathy further stated, “I have relied on the Bhubaneswar Club for many important social functions of my family. Be it my son’s marriage reception or my daughter’s marriage and even my grandson’s birthday, Bhubaneswar Club has always been there with me. I find the facilities of Bhubaneswar Club to be better than any other outside. There are so many benefits of memberships from leisure activities to accommodation and from food to function. We observe many important days in the club and celebrate together. Club is more or less a second home to members.”

He further adds that previously Bhubaneswar club was named as the officer’s club. Mostly IAS officers used to be its members. But later on it expanded to businessmen, industrialists and other important people of the society. On women’s participation, B.K. Tripathy said, “Back in our time there used to be a very active participation from women. I have done many dramas alongside them. Ladies also participated in one-act-plays and parties.”

Sudhansu Sekhar Panda, Advocate/Tax Consultant

Sudhansu Sekhar Panda is an advocate cum tax consultant for many decades and a lifetime member of the Bhubaneswar Club. Sharing his own thoughts about the Bhubaneswar Club he said, “Bhubaneswar club is a nice place for food. It has a unique taste, with good quality. In other hotels, I have experienced that you might have stomach issues after having food. But in the Bhubaneswar club, no matter what you eat, you will have no problems. Those who like drinks, they can avail it at cheaper than market price.”

S.S. Panda further adds, “There are many activities in the club in which one can participate. There are special occasions on important holidays, dramas and plays. I visit there once or twice a month. I have been a member since 1990. It has helped me a lot in my profession in serving engineers and businessmen with their tax filing.”

Giving his feedback, he said, “I believe service of the staff can be improved as sometimes we have to wait for getting certain services. The good thing is that members can take their friends to the club and avail the services at cheaper rates.”

Koushik Mohapatra, A Second Generation Clubber

My City Links came in touch with Koushik Mohapatra, an avid clubber who works as a Corporate communication-PR-media consultant, film-maker and public speaker. Koushik wears many hats such as that of a Singer in his own rock band, Actor, writer and sportsman. He is someone, who from a very young age has been contributing to the activities of the Bhubaneswar Club. He was the Executive Committee member-in-charge of Entertainment, games and sports of Bhubaneswar Club for many years. Currently, he is the member-in-charge of Billiards-Snooker and Pool of Bhubaneswar Club. Koushik Mohapatra shared, “I have contributed to and participated in numerous cultural programs, games and sports of the club since I was a kid. I am a second generation member and my father Dr Shantanu Mohapatra was a renowned member of the club since the Sixties.  He has contributed a lot to the development of the club culturally and otherwise.” 

Sharing his earliest memories about the club he said, “My father used to take me to the club very often. Our Govt. residence was close to the club, which back then used to be called the Officer’s club. My father worked with the government as a Technocrat, apart from being a legendary Music Director of the state. As far as I can remember, the Chief secretary used to be the President of the club. This changed in the late 1990s under Club President Priyabrata Patnaik, who was instrumental in changing the face of the club. Priyabrata Patnaik took keen interest in the expansion and development of the club. Most club members consider this as a glorious period for the club.”

Adding further he said, “I know the pulse of the club, as I from a very young age have been attending the club. I, along with the children of some other club members used to go every day to the club to play cricket, table tennis, badminton and tennis apart from participating in many cultural programmes. As I got older, I played billiards and snooker and started winning State and Club championships along with other prizes. This started from 1990 onwards.”

Koushik Mohapatra further stated, “The concept of the club is that of a home away from home for all members like an extended family. It’s a place where you can leave your family members safely for a few hours of relaxation. In my childhood I have read the best magazines at the club and have seen many prominent members come to the club and use the reading room extensively. The card room is also a favourite and is frequented by the young and the old alike.”

Koushik observed, “We have members coming from all walks of life like bureaucrats, technocrats, lawyers, scientists, doctors, engineers, journalists, architects, film-makers, sportspersons and actors to name a few. Together the members form a cohesive community that is full of socialising activities.”

The club for all members is truly a second home and runs on the subscription charges and membership fees paid regularly by the members.

About the Current Club President

“Since 2021 we have Asit Tripathy as the President of the Bhubaneswar club. He is a thorough gentleman, who heads the management very professionally. After the unfortunate demise of former President Priyabrata Patnaik in 2020, elections were held in the club in 2021 in which Asit Tripathy was elected as President. Since then, under his aegis the club has made all-round development exponentially and the change is visible. The day-to-day affairs and special events are being conducted in a very professional manner under the stewardship of Asit Tripathy”, said Koushik.

“Club President Asit Tripathy regularly holds meetings, reviews the responsibilities of the team and keeps in touch with all the members. This has made the processes very systematic and professional. He has most definitely taken the development of the club to the next level.”, informed Koushik.  

Asit Tripathy, who was also the Chief Secretary of Odisha, is also an avid tennis player and a sports enthusiast.

74-years of Existence

Bhubaneswar Club’s origins are linked to the foundation of the capital city Bhubaneswar. Back in 1949, a need was felt by the authorities of a suitable place where the big shots of the town could come, socialise and unwind. Bhubaneswar back then used to be sparsely populated with new residential regions coming up after its declaration as the capital of Odisha state. From the very beginning the Bhubaneswar Club was known for its modern amenities, civilised social circle, and appeal to the elites.

The club began with just 23 members and has today grown to include as many as 3000 members. It has today become a premier club in India having affiliation with Indian and international clubs. In its 74-years of existence, the club has hosted several events for its members, sometimes hosting weddings, parties and get-togethers as well. The Club has become a brand name for promoting arts, culture and sports.

Go-to Destination for New Year Celebrations

Bhubaneswar club is also well-known for its entertainment and recreational events such as the New Year Eve event where replicas of different Wonders of the World, monuments and temporary art work are featured. Members throng to the club to celebrate the New Year with much festivity and fervour. On the eve of 2024 New Year, Bhubaneswar Club had decided to invite the best of Odia talent who have excelled in national shows like Indian Idol and Zee Sa Re Ga Ma shows. Added to that the New Year Eve celebrations include popular DJs of the country to keep the feet of the guests tapping to latest Bollywood and international chartbusters. With its various attractions and arrangements, Bhubaneswar Club has become the go-to destination for the party-goers of the capital city for new year celebrations.