Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669

Padmashree Krishna Chandra Panigrahi

Dr. Jayanti Rath

An erudite scholar, ace archaeologist and eminent Pandit Binayak Mishra, who was then teaching historian, Krishna Chandra Panigrahi shines as a in the University. resplendent star in the intellectual firmament of Much before the completion of studies, , born in a lower middle class family of Krishna Chandra married Taramani Devi, the Khiching in the district of Mayurbhanj to Sagar youngest daughter of Bharat Chandra Panda of Panigrahi and Saraswati Devi in the year 1909, Chhdia village near Badasahi of Mayurbhanj he had an eventful and chequered career. His district. He lived with his wife at Kolkata while father had to make both ends meet with the meager continuing his master’s programme. income derived from the land and the priestly services. When he returned from Kolkata, Maharaja Pratap Chandra Bhanja Deo offered Krishna Chandra started his education in him the job of Research Assistant. He was the traditional village Chatasalis run by the required to assist the eminent archaeologist Avadhans. The death of his father and elder R.P.Chanda in editing old records and brother (in the same year, 1919), brought untold archaeological remains in the State. While miseries to his family. With great difficulty, he working with R.P.Chanda, he was deputed to passed the upper primary examination and was Delhi to receive training in the Archaeological awarded a scholarship, which enabled him to Survey of (A.S.I.). After the completion of continue his study in the M.E. School at Karanjia. the training he got a chance to work as an He received scholarship throughout his Archaeological Scholar there and continued in the educational career and successfully completed same post till 1944. B.A. examination with History honours from Ravenshaw College, in the year 1935. During his tenure in the A.S.I., he got His diligence in studies, humility in behavior and himself associated with the excavations at fixity of purpose drew the attention of the then Nalanda, Rajgir and Nandangarh in , Rajghat ruling chief of Mayurbhanj State who also near Benaras and at Panchmadi in Madhya extended financial support to prosecute his studies. Pradesh and Ahichhatra. He also awaited the In 1937, he passed M.A. in Ancient Indian History chance of visiting the important museums at and Culture from Calcutta University. During his Kolkata, Nalanda, Patna, Beneras, Saranath, stay at Kolkata, he was greatly influenced by Allahabad, Mathura, Lucknow, Delhi, Taxila etc.

January - 2017 57 ISSN 0970-8669 Odisha Review

During this period, he undertook extensive render his valuable service in the domain as the research on the pottery and produced a highly UGC Professor in Ravenshaw College, Cuttack. acclaimed research work on the theme of the The President of India conferred upon evolution of Indian Pottery, a pioneering study. him the title of “Padmashree” in 1976 as a mark He joined as a Lecturer in History, of recognition to his valuable services. He G.M.College, Sambalpur in the year 1944 and received the prestigious Odisha Sahitya Academy continued there for about three years. Then, he Award in 1983 for his book "Mo Samayara was appointed as a Curator of the Provincial Odisha". Museum in 1947 at Cuttack, which was finally Professor Panigrahi’s contribution as a shifted to Bhubaneswar in 1949. The present researcher is invaluable. His notable works in Odisha State Museum owes him greatly as he English and Odia are Archaeological Remains at took keen interest in the collection of sculptures Bhubaneswar, Chronology of the Bhaumakaras and other archaeological properties. It was during and Somavamsis of Orissa, History of Orissa this period that he was associated with the (Hindu Period), Sarala Sahityare Aitihasika Chitra excavation of Sisupalgarh near Bhubaneswar and (Odia), ltihasa ‘0’ Kimbadanti (Odia), Prabandha published a series of research articles. He also Manasa (Odia). In addition he has written a large completed his magnum opus, “Archaeological number of articles in English and Odia. Remains at Bhubaneswar” and later submitted this The hallmark of his writings was his treatise to Calcutta University. He was awarded natural inclination of getting at the historical truth the D.Phil Degree in 1954. This book got and empirical analysis. He was never rigid in his international recognition and was accepted as a views and open to contradictions with right text book in the Oriental School of Art, London. arguments based on evidences. He was the first Many Indian Universities accepted it as a person in the country to initiate scientific study on reference book. ancient pottery. In Odisha, he was also the pioneer to initiate the study on iconography and Again, he opted for Odisha Education architecture. Professor Panigrahi for the first time Service and joined in Ravenshaw College as a classified Odishan temples on the basis of Lecturer in 1951. But, three years after in 1954, architectural style. His learned articles on he again joined the A.S.I. as Asst. Superintendent epigraphy, sculpture, literature, museology etc. and then promoted as Circle Superintendent in make him stand apart in the galaxy of scholars. 1957. But, he did not got satisfaction in the A.S.I. After his retirement, Professor Krishna and after rendering seven years of service he left Chandra Panigrahi settled at Saanta Sahi in the job. In 1961, he was posted as a Reader in Cuttack City. The sudden death of his eldest son History in Ravenshaw College, Cuttack. He in 1985 brought great shock to him and thereafter, served there for a long period and just before his he fell ill. Finally, he passed away on 25th retirement in 1968, he was promoted as Professor February, 1987. His life and activities constitute of History in G.M.College, Sambalpur. After his a theme of hope and aspiration for the posterity. retirement from Government Service, he joined Berhampur University as Professor and continued Dr. Jayanti Rath, Superintendent of Museum, Odisha, there for four years. After that, he continued to Bhubaneswar.

58 January - 2017