Kabisamrat Upendra Bhanja

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EMINENT PERSONALITIES OF GANJAM DISTRICT, ODISHA, INDIA In addition to her exotic and graceful personality, Ganjam has proved the best of her motherhood in cradling the most luminous offsprings in

1 EMINENT PERSONALITIES OF GANJAM DISTRICT, ODISHA, INDIA In addition to her exotic and graceful personality, Ganjam has proved the best of her motherhood in cradling the most luminous offsprings in the galaxy of literature, astrology, patriotism and statesmanship, apart from her legendary heroes about whom history has left obscured records. The most primitive tribes like Kandha, Sabar and Nolea are her indigenous inhabitants telling the story of her ancient most motherhood. She maintains a heroic profile with the brilliant legacy of ancient Kalinga, her overseas colonies in the eastern archiplago, the unchallenged naval power, the devastations Kalinga War, where in her offspring proved the best of their chivalry. Still more praiseworthy are her people of ancient Kalinga, who taking part in the great Maha Bharat war from the side of the Kauravas, with the warring elephants of Mahendragiri had proved the best their bravery against the Pandavas. Kabisamrat Upendra Bhanja Kabi Samrat Upendrabhanja is to Utkal, what Shakespeare is to England and Tagore is to Bengal. He reigns supreme over the heart of artistic Odias. Though the exact time when the poet flourished has not been so far determined, it is conjectured by the scholars that, he lived between the period 1685 to 1725 A.D. He was a scion of the royal house of Ghumusara, a small principality in the district of Ganjam. His grandfather Dhananjaya Bhanja was a great poet and wrote Raghunath Bilash (The Ramayana), Ratna Manjari (A poetical romance) etc. This provided models to Upendrabhanja for writting. His first wife was the sister of the king of Nayagarh and the daughter of the king of Banapur was his second wife, who was an erudite princess and gave Upendra Bhanja poetical inspiration in an abundant measure. It is also said that, he propitiated God Raghunath of Odagam of Nayagarh and through his grace could write so many immortal works. Among the illustrious works- Baideheesha Bilasha(with"Ba" initial for each line), Rasalila, Brajaleela, Subhadra Parinaya(with "Sa" intial for every line), Prema Sudhanidhi, Labanyabati, Koti Brahmanda Sundari, Kala Koutuka (with "Ka" intial for every line) etc. Kabisurya Baladeba Rath Kabi Surya Baladeba Rath born in 1789 A.D. at Badakhemundi of Ganjam. His father, Ujwola Rath was a famous Poet and writer of Badakhemundi royal palace. At the age of ten he lost his mother, so he was brought up by his maternal grand father at Khallikote. He was his first teacher of Sanskrit and Odia literature. At the age of 15 he got married and after the death of his father he took shelter in the nearby Jalantar state. The then prince of Jalantar Rama Chandra Chotray inspired him for literary creation. King Ramachandra crowned him as "Kabi Surya". Among his notable literary creation some are (a) Kishore Chandranana Champua, (b) Choupadi Ratnakara, Choutisa and many devotional songs. At the age of 56 in the year 1854 he died at Brahmapur. 1/5

2 Sashi Bhusan Rath Mr. Sashibhusan Rath had taken his birth at Surada in the district of Ganjam in His father was Lambodar Mahapatra, who was a well-established citizen of the locality. Sashibhusan Rath had encouraged the Odia race through his publication "ASHA" and "NEW Odisha" newspaper. He had planted a new life in the dormant soul of Odia people and he had fulfilled the dream of Odisha as separate province. He had dedicated his everything for the interest of the Odia people. His role in the formation of Odisha as a separate province is unforgettable. The surname of Mr.Sashibhusan had become Rath from Mahapatra, as he was adopted to his uncle Mr.Digambar Ratha. From the very beginning of his child hood, he was in the attempt of eradication of superstition, anti social activities like animal sacrifice before the goddesses etc. He had passed his matriculation in 1902 from Madras University at Parlakhemundi. Subsequently, he spent his life for some time as a businessman and he was appointed as a Manager in "Utkal Tanary" established by Utkal Gourav Madhusudan Das. Then he was appointed as a Manager of" Young & Co" medicine company in Kolkata. In Kolkata he had organised an "Odia Association". He was almost mad for the upliftment of the Odia people and introduction of Odia Language in Govt. machinery. He was trying hard for the unification of the Odia speaking areas. He was the lover of Odia literature. He had published the weekly newspaper "ASHA" in 13th April 1913 and won the hearts of the entire Odia people. Due to his popularity he became the Vice-Chairman of Brahmapur Municipality in 1914 and he under taken many development works in to his hands. He had mobilised the people regarding the activities of Utkal Sammilani and formation of Odisha as a separate provinces through " ASHA ". In 1918, he had established an Odia School at Brahmapur, which functioned under the management of Brahmapur Municipality. Apart from "ASHA" Sashibhusan Babu had published two more monthly magazines of literature i.e, " Satyabadi" and "Pradeepa". In 1920, he was elected to Madras Assembly Council and put forth many proposals before the Govt. for overal development of Ganjam district. In 1921, he was also elected as a member of Managing Committee of Khallikote College, Brahmapur. During his tenure, the Khallikote College was improved a lot. In 1924, Sashi Babu had organised "Dandasi Caste Association" (Pana race) and fulfilled their claims putting pressure on Govt. Mr. Sashi babu is the ablest man of Odisha and pride of Odisha. He had profound knowledge and high souled patriotism. He is no more, but the Odias will remember him always for his past deeds. Varahgiri Venkat Giri Born on 10 th August 1894 in Brahmapur, Ganjam District, Odisha. Studied in Madras and Ireland. Married Saraswati Bai, who hailed from Bellary District in Participated in the Lucknow session of Indian National Congress in He was arrested in 1921 for participating in the freedom movement strike. Founded Bengal-Nagpur Railway Association for the welfare of the Railway workers. He was President of the All India Railway Workers' Federation. He was twice President of All-India Trade Union Congress. He was elected to the Central Legislature in He was Minister in charge of Labour, Industry and Co-operation between in the Madras State. 2/5

He served as Minister in Madras State in the Cabinet of Mr. Prakasham during 1946-47.

He was Governor of Uttar Pradesh during 1961-65, Governor of Kerala during 1961-65 and the erstwhile Mysore State during 1965 and 67.

3 He served as Minister in Madras State in the Cabinet of Mr. Prakasham during He was the Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) between 1947 and 1951, Member of Parliament during and Union Minister for Labour during He was Governor of Uttar Pradesh during , Governor of Kerala during and the erstwhile Mysore State during 1965 and 67. He served as the Vice President of India from 13th May 1967 to 3rd May 1969 and the President of India from 24th August 1969 to 23rd August He was a prolific writer and a good orator. He has penned 'Industrial Relations', 'Labour problems in Indian Industry' and other books, which are considered authoritative in their respective fields. Received Bharat Ratna in Died in Biswanath Das Shri Biswanath Das was the second Prime Ministerof Odisha before independence from Then he became Chief Minister of Odisha from Binayak Acharya Shri Binayak Acharya was the Chief Minister of Odisha from to Biju Pattnaik Sri Bijayananda Pattanaik (Biju Babu) had taken his birth in an aristocrat family on 5th March,1916. From the very beginning of his childhood, he was in the attempt to safe guard the prestige of Utkal Pradesh in all respects. His role in the freedom movement is unforgettable and well remain as an example for the next generation for all the times to come. His father was Laxmi Narayana Pattnaik and mother was Ashalata Ray. He was courageous and very kind hearted. The word impossible had not found place in his heart. He was deeply impressed with the ideology of Mahatma Gandhi. While he was a student of Revenshaw Collegiate School at Cuttack he joined hands with Mahatma Gandhi to remove British rule from India. Subsequently, Biju Babu became Pilot of Indian Air Force and earned great deal of reputation for his adventure during freedom movement. The Indonesia Government had honoured him with "Bhumi Putra" (son of soil) title. During his study at Revenshaw College, he was athletic champion for three times. Still then he had not bowed down his head before the British Rulers. In 1961, he became the Chief Minister of Odisha. During his Chief Ministership, Odisha had improved lavishly in all respects. Paradeep Port and Daitari Mines were his greatest contribution for Odisha. Besides, Mr. Biju Patnaik will be remembered always for having established OUAT, Regional Education College, Regional Research Centre, Sainik School at Bhubaneswar, Rourkela Engineering College, Mig Factory at Sunabeda. He started his career in Politics in 1946 and served in the following posts of at different times: M.L.A., Bhanjanagar M.L.A., Jagannathprasad Chief Minister, Odisha M.P. Rajya Sabha Opposition leader Minister, Steel & Mines, Govt. of India M.P., Loksabha 3/5

1985 - Opposition Leader, State 1990 - Chief Minister, Odisha to 1995 Biju Babu is always remembered for his sense of Nationality. Till last breath of his life, he was worried for Odias prosperity.

He had dedicated his entire life not only for Odisha State but also for the whole country.

4 Opposition Leader, State Chief Minister, Odisha to 1995 Biju Babu is always remembered for his sense of Nationality. Till last breath of his life, he was worried for Odias prosperity. During his last 50 years of political career he had not only earned Worldwide reputation but also he became the victim of many criticism. He had dedicated his entire life not only for Odisha State but also for the whole country. Raja Bahadur Ramchandra Mardaj Deo The contributions of Raja Bahadur Ramachandra Mardaraj Deo of Khallikote as both a Zamindar and social reformer are of incomparable importance. No one can forget his role along with maharaja Krishna Chandra Gajapati of Paralakhemundi, Maharaja Vikram Dev Varma of Jeypore and Goura Chandra Dev of Chikiti in creation of Odisha as a separate province. Besides, as an ardent lover of art and architecture, he turned Khallikote into a town of magnificent temples and many schools, colleges and institutions in the District bear the imprints of his royal personality. In the same time we cannot ignore the royal names of Harihar Mardaraj ( ), Raja of Khallikote and Padmanav Narayan Deo ( ), Raja of Paralakhemundi for the roles played by them in Odia movement and for their love of art and sculpture and who have glorified the name of Ganjam. Chakra Bisoi Words reach the rock-bottom, while describing the patriotism and sacrifices of Chakra Bisoi, a tribal, a chief a fire-brand revolutionary and a dare-devil personality of undaunted courage who master-minded the revolt against the British rule in Ghumusar and set the British rule ablaze. Taking advantage of the suppression of Mariah sacrifice by the British Rule, he ignited the spirit of revolution among the wild khonds in the that soon spread like a conflagration, Chakra Bisoi was captured by some jugglery means and finally hanged leaving a golden legacy of heroism behind him. His close associate was Dora Bisoi, a tribal leader of immitigable courage. Padmashree Bhagaban Sahu (A Cultural Journey From to ) Padmashree Bhagaban Sahu, an outstanding dance teacher, actor, singer, percussionist, director, experimenter and choreographer made his final exit on. Throughout his life, whenever he gave a performance, he danced his way into the hearts of the audience irrespective of their nationality and language and become a celebrity. Thereby he carved out a place for himself in the cultural history of Odisha. His long life of eighty years is an amazing story of success; one cannot help wondering about the secret of his success. How could a person born into a middle-class Odia Brahmin family become the guest of Queen Elizabeth II? How could the individual 4/5

with formal schooling only up to class VIII rise to the level of getting admiration of eminent scholars, intellectuals and Political leaders like Rajendra Prasad, Jawaharlal Nehru, Radha Krishnan,

Kala Vikas Kendra being his most favourite brainchild, he nurtured it with great passion, vigour, vitality, enthusiasm and above all utmost dedication.

5 with formal schooling only up to class VIII rise to the level of getting admiration of eminent scholars, intellectuals and Political leaders like Rajendra Prasad, Jawaharlal Nehru, Radha Krishnan, Fakhruddin Ali Ahemad, Charan Singh, Indira Gandhi, Marshal Tito and luminaries in other fields? In every project, Bhagaban Sahu had undertaken showed his indomitable will and perseverance. Kala Vikas Kendra being his most favourite brainchild, he nurtured it with great passion, vigour, vitality, enthusiasm and above all utmost dedication. He had developed tremendous concentration because of his vigorous training in gymnastic and dance as well as regular practice in mediation. His dedication combined with superb concentration paved the way for his success in training dances capable of giving excellent performances in folk performing arts like Ranapa, Chodheya, Gumrah, BaraBhuja Durga, Loudi, Paika, Jole, Binakar, Panch Badya, Dhumpa, Mridanga Badya. Of these paika, Chodheya, Ranapa and Rrum dance brought to him recognition at the national as well as international levels. He become dthe proud recipient of the president's medal by presenting the vigorous martial dance Paika in the republic Day celebration (1958). By performing the Drum dance with extraordinary agility in the Republic Day Celebration (1961) he received special award from Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. His reputation as an artiste reached great heights when performed Chodheya dance in before the spell bound audience and entertained by the Queen in the. Tulasi Samman by Madhya Pradesh Govt (1985) was another feather in his cap. This evergreen dancer and great son of Utkal was honoured by the of with Kendra Sangita Natak Academy Award (1975) and Padmasri (1992) Bhagaban Sahu brought honour and credit not only to himself but also to Odisha. The soul of this dear departed will rest in peace only when Kala Vikas Kendra continues to flourish and his disciples get perpetual guidance from his footprints left on the sands of time. 5/5

Lesson -14 Azad : The Martyr

Lesson -14 Azad : The Martyr 1. Name any freedom fighter from Madhya Pradesh. 2. What do you know about her/him? Chandra Shekhar, son of Pandit Sita Ram Tiwari and Jagrani Devi, was born in village Bhabra