Orissa Review * February - March - 2009

The Gajapathi Palace : An Architectural Marvel Gopi Nath Gajapathi

In today's fast-changing scenario of styles and Chennai's Marina beach front. Thanks to habits, heritage lifestyle beckons tourism, which INTACH and others committed to restoration, is an oft repeated adage. The lead roles played this magnificent piece of architecture in Chennai by the State Tourism Departments and in got a new lease of life and has been restored to particular, the various Chapters of Indian National its former glory. On 4th September, 2006 the Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) President of re-dedicated the newly in protecting, preserving and restoring the rich renovated building to coincide with the 150th architectural and cultural heritage of Indian are Anniversary of the University of Madras. indeed commendable. Under Chisholm's watchful eye and expert Now, let us focus our attention on a guidance, a spectacular edifice in the form of the remotely-located town of Paralakhemundi, in the Gajapathi Palace and according to many, Gajapati District of southern Orissa. The far- comparable to the architectural similarity of the sighted concept of a permanent residential abode famed Buckingham Palace of London, was the for the Gajapathi Rulers of Parlakimedi belonging ultimate product of the sustained toil by the skilled to the Ganga Dynasty was finalized on the 20th artisans and dedicated labourers. The Gajapathi May, 1835. On that eventful day, a landmark Palace was actually constructed between 1835- decision was taken and necessary funds were 1843, during the reign of Jagannath Narayan Deo allocated for the construction of the historical - III. It is a sturdy double-storied building made Gajapathi Palace at Paralakhemundi. From the of stone, wood, brick and marble. The roofs are Paralakhemundi Samasthan funds of constructed with teakwood beams and purloins. Rs.24,71,000/-, an amount of Rs.4,50,000/- was They are strongly supported by pillars of stone sanctioned in the year 1835 to the British as well as Burma teak. Both the storey are Architect, Robert Fellows Chisholm for the design provided with long and wide verandahs. There and construction of a new Royal Palace. The are around 80 well-ventilated rooms inside the Gajapathi Palace is a harmonious blend of Indo- Palace. Spacious courtyards on either wing of the Saracenic style combined with Byzantine and Palace add to the luxury and grandeur. The doors European architectural features. It is practically and windows of teakwood are large and arched. similar in design to Chisholm's wonderful creation Thick walls, made of well-polished red brick with of the Senate House later in 1873, adorning white lime-mortar pointing type of design, stand

1 Orissa Review * February - March - 2009 tall. At the entrance of the Singhadwar (main gate), by the Members of the Royal Family and the statues of two reclining lions are placed on either Palace Priests every day. The Palace also has its side over two raised platforms. A massive recreations retreats like a fully-furnished billiards decorative iron gate stands anchored between two room and a permanent cement tennis court. Past tall gombujas (round-shaped minarets) having champions like Ghous Mohammed and E.V.Bob staircases. A large mounted metal bell of foreign have enthralled the local tennis enthusiasts, with origin is situated at the main entrance. It is struck their brilliant display in exhibition tennis matches manually by a heavy wooden mallet to indicate at Paralakhemundi. The Gajapathi Press was also accurate hourly time to the Palace and the general installed within the Palace, rendering invaluable public of the town. The daily routine, on the public service for the propagation of Oriya language and demand, continues to remain in practice to this day. literature. The centre of attraction of the Palace is the Prominent among the appurtenances to the stately Durbar Hall. It's gilt decorated walls and Palace are the long three-rowed Poili Sahis intricate wooden trellis-work are further (servant's quarters) inside the Palace compound. embellished with other traditional works of art. It The annex to the Palace, styled as the Dababado is located in the middle of the Palace consisting is an open compound of approximately eight of two main wings, the Mahal and the Rani acres extent. It was used as a grazing ground for Mahal. So symmetrical is the construction that the Palace cattle and was also utilized as a when one stands on the axis (centre line) of the playground for the students of Maharaja's High Place and makes comparison of both the wings, School and College. High quality cricket matches it is found that one half appears to be exactly the were also played at this venue. A mini Zoo, mirror image of the other half ! Main functions comprising of representative samples of Indian Council meetings and Royal Family celebrations fauna, was also maintained inside this compound. were being held in the Durbar Hall with much Elephants as well as horses were retained in their pomp and gaiety. Right behind the Durbar Hall, respective spacious stables. A row of garages, there is a stone-ornated kalyan mandap, where for Rolls Royces, Mercedes Benz and other luxury sacred-thread ceremonies and even marriage motor-cars, is situated in the backyard. At least functions were performed. Well-appointed half a dozen perennial open wells inside the bedrooms with bathrooms, drawing rooms, dining compound, cater to the running-water halls, kitchens, rooms as well as spacious requirements of the Palace and its walled gardens. store rooms have been provided in both the wings Indeed, the Gajapathi Palace of the 19th of the Palace. The Gantaghar (strong-room) as century symbolizes an engineering feat par well as an armoury room are the other prime excellence. Its exquisite stone and woodwork, provisions in the Gajapathi Palace. ancient kerosene-gas lighting system, combined The chosen family deity, Istadevi with the cultural ethos of the region make its Manikeswari occupies the customary place location and appearance unique. It is designed to beside the Palace kitchen. Her choice blessings remain cool in summer and keep warm during have remained profound on the protection and the cold winter months. Granite pillars, Burma teak well-being of the Parlakimedi Raj Parivar. Special beams, imported stained-glass windows, artistic Pujas are performed to Goddess Manikeswari grills and other rare materials used in the building,

2 Orissa Review * February - March - 2009 speak volumes of the quality and lifestyle of its end to these kinds of senseless destruction and generation of owners as well as the skilled must therefore voice our concern effectively in workforce. This marvelous heritage building is appropriate fora. strategically located in the border region of Orissa The former Member of Parliament of and Andhra Pradesh. As regards its historical Constituency and scion of the importance, the seeds of a separate statehood Parlakimedi Royal Family, Shri Gopi Nath for the Oriya-speaking people were germinated Gajapathi has fervently appealed to the State in the Gajapathi Palace precincts. Way back, the Government as well as INTACH, to take up 10th session of held on the 26th necessary repair works for restoration of the and 27th December, 1914 at Paralakhemundi was Gajapathi Palace, without further delay. This presided over by the Ruler of Jeypore, Maharaja onerous task is also being actively pursued with Vikram Dev Verma and ably organized by the interested distinguished personalities like Shri Lalit young Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapathi of Mansingh India's former Ambassador to the USA, Paralakhemundi. In fact, the auspicious birth of Shri Abasar Behuria India's former Ambassador the illustrious son of Orissa, Maharaja Krushna to Madagaskar, Shri Jatin Das the dynamic Head Chandra Gajapathi, who became the first Premier of JD Centre of Art, Shri Prafulla Chandra Dhir of Orissa State, had taken place in the very same renowned Photographic expert and Shri Gajapathi Palace. Further, as a pinnacle of G.Srinivas Murty Architect of repute from Andhra recognition of his glorious career, the Government Pradesh. The next important step would be its of India befittingly brought out a postage stamp preservation for posterity. This would be possible of the Creator of modern Orissa and a First-day by working out a self-sustaining system, like cover carrying the facsimile of the Gajapathi converting part of the Gajapathi Palace into a Palace, coinciding with the Maharaja's birth museum/heritage hotel in partnership with the centenary, in the year 1992. Department of Tourism, for providing the The Gajapathi Palace also happens to be necessary promotion and publicity needed for a cultural centre of Orissa State. Eminent marketing. personalities, State heads like Governors, Chief One can, with a degree of certainty, assert Ministers and high dignitaries keep visiting the that old is really gold. Let us not forget the writing Palace in an unending stream. But alas! The on the wall, "Heritage once lost, is lost for ever". present condition of the Gajapathi Palace is such Whether this dire necessity will see the light of that this heritage building has been lamenting day and the past glory preserved, only time will silently for its speedy restoration. The visiting tell. When accomplished, the architectural marvel dignitaries have expressed only lip sympathy until prominently symbolized by the Gajapathi Palace now. For them all, it is a case of "Out of sight, out that continues to fascinate, will bear ample of mind". Further, everyday somewhere in the testimony to a bygone era of unparalleled regal country, a heritage building is being pulled down splendour. in the name of progress and development. Invaluable works of art and manuscript are simply discarded, without proper documentation and Gopi Nath Gajapathi is the grandson of Shri Krushna record. It appears that we seem to have lost the Chandra Gajapathi, late Maharaja of Paralakhemundi. reverence our ancestors had, for all that man and He lives at Gajapathi Palace, Paralakhemundi-761200 in nature have created. We have the right to put an the District of Gajapati.

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Madhusmriti - The Abode of Oriya Nationalism

Surasinha Patnaik

Madhusmriti, being the hallowed residence of building at Biheri Bag, till the year 1891. Madhusudan Das, the pride of the nation and the During the period, in the formative days of his maker of the modern State of Orissa, is a glorious historic career, he established the Orissa monument, from where the spirit of Oriya Association (Utkal Sabha)in the year 1882. He nationalism, resurged after a lapse of nearly four rescued Orissa in every front where its language, hundred years of subjugation which ultimately led culture and economy were imperiled passing to the creation the first linguistic province of through a crucial phase of extinction. Madhusudan Orissa. In fact Madhusudan Das was the history entered like beam of effulgent bright light which of Orissa incarnate for nearly a period of half a pierced through the darkness of despondency and century, which resulted in cultural resurgence of dejection. Orissa, restoring the pristine traditions and values In the year 1887, he fought relentlessly along with the emergence of the modern spirit of against the ill motivated intrigue of the British adventurism. Madhusmriti served as the nucleus Government for taking over the administration of for undertaking many pioneering nationalist Sri Jagannath temple, the nerve center round which ventures in the entire country, beginning from the the Oriya tradition and culture revolved. He filed rural based industrialization to the rehabilitation an appeal in Calcutta High Court against the of the alienated untouchables and underprivileged treacherous attempt of the government and classes of the society. This has drawn the attention ultimately came out successful. The supreme of Mahatma Gandhi. While paying tributes pledge was redeemed and the commitment for Mahatma Gandhi said, 'Late Madhusudan Das restoring the sacred rights of Gajapati dynasty was was a great patriot and philanthropist of the fulfilled. In the year 1887, he set up the first country. He had opened my eyes to the great permanent stage of Orissa inside Beharibag with crime against a part of humanity. He sought to sophisticated and highly imaginative ultra modern make reparation by opening what might be called stage management techniques thus heralding a an educational tannery. He was responsible for creative age in writing of highly accomplished livelihood of hundreds of shoe makers in Cuttack modern Oriya plays. (Harijan - 3.9.1934). With these, he was not satisfied. He wanted On returning from Calcutta in the year 1881 to carry on novel experiments in the sphere of Madhusudan resided in the rented spacious Swadeshi industrialisation. For this purpose he

4 Orissa Review * February - March - 2009 wanted to have his own residence. During the year country made articles. At the first instance he 1890, he purchased a dilapidated building near decided to wear only Swadeshi shoes. With this Cuttack Chandi Square by bidding an auction and objective in view, he moved round the cobbler started the construction of a new stately palatial villages of Patia, Mancheswar and remote villages building according to his own choice. With a of and studied in detail the spacious compound in the front, wherein a well process of manufacturing the shoes. He recruited designed tennis court was laid out, which was the four cobbler families who permanently resided in center of attraction for the foreign dignitaries. Madhusmriti and Madhusudan carried on daily exercises and experiments with these cobbler Madhusudan occupied the stately imposing families and ultimately by 1895, he was able to building of Madhusmriti in the year 1892 and lived manufacture shoes which were far superior than there till his very end of his life in the year 1934. the foreign made shoes. Later he delved deep From the year 1892 till the year 1934, into the method of tanning practiced by cobblers. Madhusudan as a symbol of indomitable courage He observed that leather of good quality was and monolithic assurance stood steadfastly against being prepared for manufacturing shoes by any attack directed towards Oriya speaking slaughtering live cattle, where as tanned leather people. For all these years the hopes and extracted from dead cattle was available in large aspiration of Oriya people centered round a single quantities from the feudatory states. Madhusudan personality - Madhusudan Das. carried on experiments with the leather tanned Unlike many nationalist leaders, out of dead cattle, but failed to prepare quality Madhusudan was brought up in a remote village goods. of Satyabhamapur and was well acquainted with Later on his attention was drawn towards the degrading state of rural economy and the highly specialized filigree industries which deteriorating state of village arts and crafts. acquired excellence in quality and symmetry in textural designs. Madhusudan being totally Madhusudan was grievously struck by the engrossed in the production processes had to deepening crisis which the country was facing with embark upon the role of an impassioned artistic the gradual influx of foreign goods and the manner designer with delicate drawing of imaginative lines. in which indigenous industries were afflicted. With He finally emerged as a zealous and prolific the squeezing of the market, rural industries were craftsman of tender and finer sensibilities. In the practically paralysed. Being trapped in the age leisurely moments he was found in deep old inflexities of worn out methods of production, contemplative mood, in designing the delicate these industries were losing their credibility. artistic products embossed with filigree Madhusudan felt the process can be retrieved by workmanship and other craftsmanship. A fervour launching a determined campaign for the of lyrical tenderness of artistic exuberance committed use of country - made goods along pervaded in the entire atmosphere. In deep with the effecting of the latest improvements in recesses of his mind emerged a spring of creative the production processes by partly introducing impulse which kept him surcharged and engrossed scientific mechanical devices without effecting its for hours together. For manufacturing filigree original tenor and artistic qualities of production. articles of superb workmanship, Madhusudan In the year 1894, Madhusudan was practically established the Orissa Art-hares inside the seized with an irresistible urge of using exclusively Masdhusmriti in the year 1896.

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The products of Orissa Artwares gained In the year 1896, Madhusudan was elected international reputation. Madhusudan possessed to Legislative Council and in the year a rare quality of superb mechanical skill. 1897, he left for England and other European Madhusudan applied mechanical skill for bringing countries leaving Madhusmriti in the charge of excellence in various metal products. Anama Chandra Das and Sailabala Das. As a protest against the exploitative During the first phase of his continental trip, policies adopted by British colonial rules, on reaching London in the month of March 1897, Madhusudan visualised a liberated India by Madhusudan was deeply moved by the amazing engulfing the entire country with organisation of manners in which gigantic cooperative stores were Swadeshi industrial undertaking in an extensive functioning in England; and the way the price line manner. was controlled, Madhusudan was propelled by Later on he applied the skill for production an overwhelming urge, for setting up of a similar of artistic goods made out of steel, iron, brass, cooperative venture at Cuttack. bell metal, aluminium, wood and other materials which were part of the production of Orissa Art From England, Madhusudan left for wares, His mechanical skill had received wide Germany, the land of giant industrial undertakings. recognition. On the death of Madhusudan Das in While moving round a factory manufacturing the year 1934, Laxmi Narayan Sahoo paid tributes leather goods, he came across with a process in in these words, "With the sad demise of which hides extracted from dead animals were Madhusudan Das, the country lost a mighty tanned. He sat dumb founded. It was indeed a mechanic and a superb dexterous labourer." new revelation for him. Every where in the world By his repeated appeal made to the the hides extracted from the live animals Government of India, a scheme was prepared for slaughtered, were being tanned. Now the search laying the railway line in the coastal Orissa and had ended. He felt an incredible sense of Madhusudan Das as the legal adviser to the excitement - a joy of exhilaration. Brimming with railway company helped in acquiring land for the enthusiasm he studied the entire process of tanning railway company from the year 1895 onwards, to the minutest detail. Returning to Orissa, which resulted in laying railway line in quick Madhusudan experimented at Madhusmriti with succession. Hardly within a period of five years the process of tanning leather extracted from dead by the middle of the year 1900, the entire Orissan cattle, by replacing certain chemicals with the bark coast was covered with the laying of railway lines of specified trees. The result was a tremendous with the plying of trains, it was indeed a splendid success. achievement of higher calibre. Mahatma Gandhi studied in detail about the In the year 1895, Oriya language, as the life of Madhusudan and recounted the same in a court language was replaced by Hindi, in the 'letter to Harijan worker' published in Harijan western Orissa, which was under the direct Bandhu in 3.9.1933. administrative control of the Central province. Madhusudan as the president of Orissa "What did Madhusudan Das do". He Association launched a decisive battle in the teeth gathered the tanners of Utkal and studied how of all oppositions. Ultimately Oriya as the court they did their tanning. He was not satisfied. He language was restored in the year 1903. went to Germany and saw leather work there.

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He brought German experts and started a deal of forthrightness and overwhelming emotion, factory." (Harijan Bandhu 3.9.1933). thereby communicating the deep sense of anguish On return from England, Madhusudan Das and frustration of the Oriya speaking people. Lord started the first cooperative venture, 'The Cuttack Curzon was visibly moved and gave him an Cooperative Store" started on 11th June 1898 in assurance for a well demarcated territory for Oriya the campus of Madhusmriti, wherein Madhusudan people. Accepting the invitation extended by Das acted as the honorary Secretary and Babu Madhusudan, Lord Curzon visited the temple Janakinath Bose (the father of Subas Chandra cities of Puri and Bhubaneswar on 16th Bose) worked as the treasurer. This had created December1900 and observing the architectural a wide stirring effect in the entire state, thus splendours of these temples he was deeply moved resulting in organization of a number of credit and overwhelmed. Ultimately he issued the 'Risley cooperative societies in the year 1903, much Circular' on 3rd December, 1903 with a concrete before the promulgation of All India Credit proposal for amalgamation of Oriya speaking Cooperative Societies Act 1904. territories. Madhusudan was far ahead of Mahatma Madhusmriti, was the main nucleus from Gandhi in the spirit of Swadeshi Industrialization. which the organization of Utkal Sammilani was Mahatma Gandhi first came across with charakha contemplated in right earnest. The first and the (Spinning wheel) and handlooms as late as in the second sessions of the Utkal Sammilani were held year 1917. on 30th and 31st December, 1903 and 28th and 29th December, 1904 respectively at Cuttack. Madhusudan salvaged the spinning wheel The enthusiasm created due to holding up of these from the obscure past and gave it a rightful place eventful and historic sessions was tremendous. It in the system of Swadeshi industrialization. As created a stir from which Oriya nationalism early as in the year 1902, the spinning wheel were emerged with great sense of upheaval. The Utkal plying regularly at Madhusmriti associated with Sahitya Samaja was founded in the year 1903 as handlooms as a positive step towards the rural the literary wing of the Utkal Sammilani. industrialization. The extract from the book of the 'life of Madhusudan Das' written by Sailabala Das In the year 1904 Madhusudan set up the is given below. premier athletic institution under the name "The Orissa Sports Association" at Madhusmriti and "To produce cotton cloth, Madhusudan organized seasonal and annual provincial sports Das cultivated cotton plant in his farm. The cotton and games competition in every winter season, from these plants was made into yarn and woven which was drawing a large crowd. These were in his own factory. Various kinds of handloom occasions to celebrate and rejoice and the were brought from different places, even from successful participants were awarded with artistic Japan. Hand woven cloth was manufactured as cups and shields decorated with intricate early as 1902." embossed designs manufactured in the work shop Madhusudan met Lord Curzon, the of the Orissa Art ware. Viceroy of India at Simla during the third week For imparting training in playing of European of October 1900 and was able to put forth the games, Madhusudan establishing in the year 1904 pressing demands of Oriya people with a great 'the Orissa Youngmen's Association' at

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Madhusmriti by enrolling students from the college From the year 1894, Madhusudan and schools. These students were also imbibed experimented in shoe manufacturing and the latest with the spirit of patriotism. process of tanning at Madhusmriti. But he shifted these units to the spacious extensive campus For all these unique achievements as the beyond the Railway station, Cuttack in the year forerunner in varied field of activities, Madhusudan 1905 and named it as Utkal Tannery which was awarded with the title of C.I.E (Companion acquired world wide fame and reputation. The of Indian Empire) by the British government in unit manufactured superior quality of shoes which the year 1904 along with the top ranking national surpassed in excellence compared to the universal leaders like Gopal Krishna Gokhle with identical standards and were worn by British militia during citations. the first world war. On 16th October 1905 as per the In the year 1907, Madhusudan visited provision in the Risley Circular issued by Lord England and returned with Henery W. Navinson Curzon, Sambalpur district alongwith seven the renowned representative of Glasgow Herald western feudatory states namely Kalahandi, who stayed at Madhusmriti for a considerable Patna, Sonepur, Rairakhol, Bamara, Bonei and length of time. After observing minutest details Gangpur were annexed with Orissa Division, about the prolific and altruistic benevolent activities giving it a status of a sub province. This was a of Madhusudan Das, he incorporated the same monumental achievement of Madhusudan Das. with lively communicative narrations in his unique In the year 1902, Madhusudan started a book "New spirit in India' which was highly massive Swadeshi industrialization programme applauded by foreign press and public. with the operation of spinning wheel (Charkha) As a measure for bringing awakening in the and handloom weaving. In the year 1905 women folk of Orissa, Madhusudan converted Madhusudan suddenly came across with the latest the Ravenshaw girls' school into a High School in advanced weaving technique of fly shuttle loom the year 1908, bearing the entire expenditure for weaving which resulted in speedier process of the school. In the year 1910, Narmada Kar and weaving. At Madhusmiriti, Madhusudan opened Chandramukhi Sarangi passed matriculation from a separate section for imparting training in fly this school. Ultimately the management of the shuttle loom weaving to weavers, thus school was taken over by the Government in the revolutionised the weaving in the entire Orissa. year 1913. During the process of converting it To bring a breakthrough in weaving Madhusudan into a high school Sailabala Das the adopted supplied fly shuttle looms on easy installment basis daughter of Madhusudan Das acted as Principal to rural weavers. and Secretary. In the year 1915 the high school Madhusudan opened an art school in the was converted into a College, thus heralding an campus of Madhusmriti, through which he age of progress stepped up incredibly for the introduced the queer delicate process of tie and woman folk of Orissa. dye pattern of weaving with the evolving of the In the year 1912, the rights of the intricate process of dyeing of yarn on the basis of impoverished peasants of Orissa were highly imaginative designs contemplated through jeopardized and the stringent measures were the process of deeper insight and calculative vision. proposed to be introduced in the Orissa Tenancy

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Act 1912. Accordingly a bill was introduced in In the year 1921 Madhusudan was the Bengal Legislative Council to keep the process appointed as the Minister of Bihar and Orissa of gruelling exploitation of the Zamidars unabated. Government under Montford Reforms, holding At the hour of peril Madhusudan organized the local-self government, PWD and health Praja Parishad at Madhusmriti taking the peasants portfolios. of Orissa Division as members and pleaded From the precincts of Madhusmriti, valiantly and fought steadfastly for their cause in Madhusudan started his struggle for conferring the Bengal Legislative Council. On behalf of Praja inalienable rights on women of India to practice Parishad, Madhusudan fought relentlessly for as the lawyer in the legal courts of India. According immediate abolition of Zamidari system without to his overriding claim the Legal Practioners Act paying any compensation to the landlords. With was amended in the year 1923. This was a victory this the radical and the revolutionary concept of unparalleled in dimension. In the same year socialism had taken its root in the Indian soil thus Sudhansu Bala Hazara, the sister of Sailabala Das heralding an age of the end of notorious appeared as the first woman lawyer in the Patna exploitation and grueling tyranny by the feudal High Court as the junior to Madhusudan Das. lords. In the year 1923, Madhusudan resigned The Bihar and Orissa province was created from the post of Ministership pleading to make in the year l912 and Madhusudan Das as the the post honorary and returned to his residence President of Praja Parisad was nominated to the at Madhusmriti at Cuttack. During the period he Bihar and Orissa Legislative Council. From the was away at Patna, the affairs of Utkal Tannery year 1913 to 1916 Madhusudan Das was elected was mismanaged. The debt burden was mounting to the Imperial Council as the representative from up. In the year 1924, Madhusudan proceeded to Bihar and Orissa Legislative Council. Sabaramati Ashram at Ahmedabad to meet Madhusudan had a very brilliant and outstanding Mahatma Gandhi. After an interval the relationship between Mahatma Gandhi and Madhusudan was records as a legislator in the imperial council and revived, Madhusudan appraised about the affairs his outpouring of biting criticisms against British of the Utkal Tannery to Mahatma Gandhi and imperialism remained unparalleled as a symbol of invited him to come over to Cuttack to visit the uprightness. tannery. In the year 1916, Madhusudan attended Mahatma Gandhi reached Cuttack during the annual session of the Indian National Congress the morning hours of 19th August1925 and stayed held at Lucknow as the sole representative from as a personal guest of Madhusudan at Orissa. Madhusmriti. The welcome which awaited for him In the year 1917, Madhusudan edited the was tremendous. paper "The Oriya' an English weekly from On this occasion, Madhusmriti was Madhusmriti as the organ of the Utkal Sammilani. converted into a building of artistic excellence. In the same year he submitted a memorandum The entire building was very aesthetically before the Montford Reforms Committee at decorated with Khadi fabrics bearing exquisite Calcutta demanding for the creation of the designs. Each room turned into an ornate gallery separate province of Orissa. of Swadeshi Products which was a visual treat

9 Orissa Review * February - March - 2009 for Mahatma Gandhi. The same day after taking on Madhusmriti. A disaster had struck. a little rest Mahatma Gandhi left for visiting the Madhusmriti was put to auction for redeeming a Utkal Tannery. debt, he owed to the Maharaja of Mahatma Gandhi moved into different Paralakhemundi. However Sailabala Das and his sheds of the Utkal Tannery alongwith younger brother Chandra Kumar Hazara could able to collect the amount by selling their parental Madhusudan. He was practically studying the property and were able to bid in the auction. entire process of tanning with a sense of inquisitive Being homeless Madhusudan stayed at eagerness of a learner. Madhusudan explained Madhusmriti as a tenant by paying monthly house him the entire process of tanning with an rent. expression of rare ingenuity. Later on the Utkal Tannery was writhing in Mahatma Gandhi resided at Madhusmriti trouble. Time was running out. Mounting debt on 19th & 20th August1925. While addressing burden had severely hit the institution and crippled to the congress workers at Madhusmriti he its functioning, ultimately bringing it to a halt. The repeatedly confirmed his noble message for Utkal Tannery was finally auctioned on 22nd creation of the linguistic state of Orissa and November1926. With this the mighty national exhorted them for struggling for the merger of the enterprise faced a closure. The dream of Singhbhum district along with the Orissa Division. Madhusudan lay shattered. He had invested his This was certainly a pious duty as running of life's fortune in the tannery. The property which Charkha. was valued at Rs.2.65 lacs was auctioned for a In fact on return from Cuttack, Mahatma paltry sum of Rs.65,000/-. Madhusudan was Gandhi carried on experiments, in the right earnest present at the site of auction. Completely in respect of tanning of hides extracted from the dejected, Madhusudan returned to his own dead animals closely following the instructions residence Madhusmriti. Stress of the life had imparted by Madhusudan Das. Two years after emotionally paralysed him. Under the gapping visiting Cuttack, Mahatma Gandhi published a jaws of crisis he had been completely crushed. statement on 19.3.1927 issue of "Young India" Exhaustion had brought him to a breaking point. highly admiring the activities of Madhusudan Das. At that moment he dropped down lying The statement was as follows. unconscious. "It is true that now leather is tanned from Six hours passed. Suddenly he got up the hides of the slaughtered cattle. Madhusudan completely refreshed and relaxed looking like a Das of Cuttack carried an experiment on newly blossomed flower in early dawn. The entire preparation of leather of good quality out of the shock of dejection being completely drained away, hides from the dead cattle since many years. He he was feeling invigouated. told me that his experiments has been highly Misfortunes came to Madhusudan in quick successful. At present I am also carrying on succession. After the closure of the tannery, experiment on these lines.' (Young India another misfortune hit the career of Madhusudan. 19.3.1927). He was declared as insolvent on 4th August 1927. Mahatma Gandhi had left Cuttack on 20th He did not yield to the misfortune. He was a man August 1925. A shadow of calamity had fallen of indomitable energy and unfailing courage.

10 Orissa Review * February - March - 2009

Mahatma Gandhi arrived in Orissa on his The year 1928 marked a dividing line in marathan tour, covering for a period of nearly a the eventful and historic career of Madhusudan fortnight. He entered Orissa on 3 December 1927 Das. His long cherished dream of making Orissa finally reached Cuttack on 18th December 1927 speaking area as a province of its own become a covering long distances in the journey. The probable reality. The Statutory Commission (The prolonged heavy entourage and the whirlwind tour Simon Commission) had arrived India in the year had completely exhausted him adversely affecting 1928 to make wide spreading changes in the his health. With Blood pressure running high and political set up of India. Madhusudan deputed an with a slight temperature in the body, he reached Oriya delegation headed by Braja Sundar Das to Cuttack and looked for Madhusudan. Congress represent the case of Orissa, before the Simon Workers had made arrangements for his stay. But Commission at Patna, The Oriya team reached Madhusudan joining Mahatma Gandhi at the point Patna in due time and welcomed the Simon of arrival had practically snatched him. On Commission at the Railway station at Patna in the reaching Madhusmriti, the residence of early morning of 12.12.1928 and submitted the Madhusudan, Mahatma Gandhi felt relaxed. The memorandum on 14.12.1928 at the Patna very touch of the fingers of Madhusudan gave Secretariat. After submission of the necessary him immediate relief. recommendation by Atlee Committee in the It was 18th December 1927, a day for year,1930, the chances of the formation of the observing silence. But coming near to his mentor, Orissa province became brighter, Madhusudan Mahatma Gandhi was determined to talk and deputed the Maharaja of Paralakhemundi to seek guidance. He broke his silence. Talking with attend 1st Round Table Conference at London. Madhusudan had always been of a thrilling He submitted the memorandum on 16.1.1931, experience and a new revelation. on the basis of which O'donell committee was Mahatma Gandhi was steadily constituted for the demarcation of the boundary convalescing under tendering care of Madhusudan of the proposed Orissa province. The O'donell and all the programmes of Mahatma Gandhi were committee reached Cuttack in the month of cancelled excepting a token one. Mahatma December1931. Madhusudan welcomed the Gandhi stayed with Madhusudan for three days team of the committee at Madhusmriti by and left for Madras on 21st December 1927. arranging a gala garden party accompanied by Mahatma Gandhi's speech on Madhusudan was the grand show of fire works. The formation of published in Hindu (Newspaper) on 4th the province of Orissa was declared on 24th July,1927. December1932, the concluding day of Third "Madhusudan Das was a brilliant lawyer Round Table Conference. Along with this at Cuttack. The poverty of Orissa woke him from declaration an administrative committee was set his dreams and he saw that necessary as the work up in the year 1933 taking Madhusudan Das as a with plough and oxen in our fields was, we should leading member to lay down the frame work for soon be reduced to the status of bovine species the creation of the province of Orissa. unless we add to our agriculture some industry Madhusudan inspite of his failing health conditions which called forth the cunning of our hand and he actively participated in the deliberations by taking has himself become a finest artisan. (Hindu lively interest and on the concluding day of the 3.7.1927) functioning of the Committee, Madhusudan

11 Orissa Review * February - March - 2009 offered a party at Madhusmriti to celebrate the "Let us not forget that we owe him more momentous occasion. than honour to his memory. He strove not for his His lifelong endeavour associated with own honour, but for the honour of his Nation, so impassioned sustaining effort of unremitting zeal to dedicate ourselves to the future of that Nation". had led to the creation of the State of Orissa which The new state of Orissa came into existence became a reality. After the final proclamation on 1st 1936, as a living memorial to relating to the creation of the province of Orissa Madhusudan for his lifelong endeavour and with well demarcated boundary lines in the year dedicated service. Orissa found its rightful place 1933, Madhusudan passed away on 4th in the Indian dominion. February,1934 having his life's most cherished dream fulfilled. Oh ! he is really the maker of Orissa and one of the founding fathers of Indian Nationalism. Without any responsibility of raising the Yes ! here stands the effulgent spirit of Orissa in family of his own, his entire life was placed at the its entirety, glowing radiantly. altar of the motherland as a prayerful offering. The last words which rang out from his lips with a A Short history of Sailabala Women's College voice dynamic and compelling were exuding a The premier Women's institution of the message of his total and integral dedication for State, the Sailabala Women's College had a the cause of the motherland. The words were, humble beginning. It started in the year 1869, as 'Here was an Oriya who never feared a tutorial teaching class in the house of a Bengali power and who was never lured out of his right gentleman at Balu Bazar, Cuttack. Later on it path. Independently he only sought the help of acquired the status of a lower primary school with the God." two pundits as the teaching staff. The school was On his sad demise the tributes paid by Mr. named as the Ravenshaw Hindu Girls' School and E.S. Hornale, the Commissioner of Orissa received a monthly grant of Rs.15/- from the Division faithfully reflected the sublime purpose government. By the year 1875, it was converted for which Madhusudan had dedicated his life. The into an upper primary school and later on it was words were:He ever obeyed the command' fight upgraded to the rank of Vernacular school with the good fight, with all the might' the fight against middle school standard. By the year 1900, the the power of evil against injustice, humilition and standard of the school deteriorated with very few inhumanity. Manfully he led the way towards the students in the upper classes and no student promised land of self-Governing Orissa and it was passed the vernacular standard continuously for not given to him to enter it, at the end he stood, three years. The Deputy Inspector of the School like dying Moses on the highest peak of Pisgah, reduced the rank of the school to U.P standard, in full view of it below him in the certain assurance with all the prospects of the school for further that it should be the heritage of the people and so improvement remaining completely sealed. could cry". In the year 1906 Reba Ray the niece of "O Grave, where is thy sting? Madhusudan Rao, the Deputy Inspect or of O Death, where is thy victory? School started a high school for the girls and He is not dead : He layeth down, received a sizeable grant from the Government. His sword and cross to take his crown". But in the year 1907, it was learnt that most of

12 Orissa Review * February - March - 2009 the inmates of the school were recruited from After the formation of the state of Orissa in Brahmo families of Calcutta and some students year 1936 various Chief Ministers tried to procure were the daughters of the recently posted Bengale Madhusrnriti as a memorial but in queer Officials. The medium of teaching was Bengali. circumstances Madhusmriti came under the There were practically no Oriya student in the possession of the State Government by a gift deed school. With the opening this high school for girls executed by Sailabala Das on 2.2 1952. As per all grants sanctioned in favour of existing the conditions of the gift deed Madhusmriti is to Ravenshaw girl's school were stopped. These be primarily preserved as a memorial to the facts were brought to the notice of Madhusudan sublime memory of Madhusudan Das and Das by Gopal Chandra Praharaj, the famous Madhusudan Museum would function in this lexicographer and the assistant secretary to the building permanently with the displaying of all its Ravenshaw girl's school. Madhusudan Das exhibits. These treasured possessions should not immediately converted the Ravenshaw U.P Girls' be shifted to any other place. Sailabala Women's School into high school in the year 1908, by College functioning in a part of this building may opening all the classes to make it a full fledged be shifted to another place if spacious accommodation was available elsewhere. Some high school. Sailabala Das the adopted daughter of the salient conditions of the gift deed are given of Madhusudan Das was appointed as the below. Principal and the Secretary of the school. Madhusudan Das met the entire expenditure for 1. For effectuating to preserve the sacred running the high school from his own generous memory of Madhusudan Das, the donor contributions. He purchased horse driven (Sailabala Das) transferred the property to the carriages for bringing the girl students, even from donee (State Government), this property being the remote corners of the town. By personal known as Madhusmriti (condition No 1 Page 2). contacts the strength of the high school exceeded 2. The donee (State Government) shall locate three hundred in number. In the year 1910 Madhusudan Museum in this building and the Narmada Kar the daughter of Biswanath Kar and scheduled articles specified in the deed shall be Chandramukhi Sarangi the daughter of Gangadhar exhibited and preserved forever in the rooms of Sarangi passed matriculation from the high school. the building (condition No.2 Page 3). The famous lady doctor and writer Kuntala 3. A short history of Madhusmriti would be Kumari Sabat passed from this high school. In engraved in a marble plaque which would be fixed the year 1913, the management of this high school in the building (condition no.4 Page.4). was transferred to the government. By repeated persuation of Madhusudan Das this high school 4. A life size marble statue of Madhusudan was converted into a Women's College in the year Das shall be placed in the garden and in the front 1915 with the starting of first arts classes. Later gates of the building marble slabs bearing the name on it became a degree college and was known as of Madhusmriti and MADHU BARRISTER in Oriya shall be fixed (condition No.6 & 7 Page.4). Sailabala Women's College. In the year 1952, the college was shifted to the campus of 5. Sailabala Women's College, Cuttack, Madhusmriti by a gift deed executed by Sailabala would function in the said premises of Madhusmriti Das in favour of Orissa government on 2.2.1952. until such time the Government may transfer the

13 Orissa Review * February - March - 2009 same to a more spacious premises if they find it He was a great friend of my father and I have more convenient (condition No.2 page.2) seen him from a distance. Whenever the affairs From these it is evident that Madhusmriti of Orissa came up for discussion and is to solely function as a memorial to Madhusudan consideration, the name of Madhusudan Das also Das. arises there with all sublime qualities he stands for" (13.02.1953). After this year Madhusudan Museum and the Sailabala College functioned at Madhusmirti Pandit Nehru also visited Madhusmriti in and the statue of Madhusudan Das was unveiled the year 1959, while attending the silver jubilee in the said premises on 13.2.1953 by Pandit celebration of PEN conference at Bhubaneswar. Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Prime Minister of At this time also Pandit Nehru paid glowing India. tributes to Madhusudan Das. On this occasion, while paying glorious Madhusmriti still stands today as a silent tributes to Madhusudan Das, Pandit Jawaharlal witness to many eventful historic incidents, that Nehru said "Madhusudan Das was a great leader had turned the destiny of the State as well as the of not only Orissa but whole of India as a great country. It is really worth preserving. Indian leader, he did many pioneering works for the uplift of Indian social and economic conditions. Surasinha Patnaik lives at Light House Chouk, I have been hearing his name for the last fifty years. At/Po- Gopalpur, District - Ganjam.

Khirachora Gopinath, Baleswar

14 Orissa Review * February - March - 2009

Chait Yatra

Dr. Chitrasen Pasayat

Bargaon is a village under Bargaon Panchayat mythology like the . The incidents Samiti of Sundargarh district in Orissa. It is a tribal narrated or sung are from the lives of , dominated Block, where more than 75 per cent Laxmana, Sita, Hanumana and such other deities. people belong to different tribal communities. But Though, this is not a historical or social theme, it Bargaon village itself is not a tribal dominated affects the social life very much. village. This village has got a special place in the It is difficult to ascertain when exactly this cultural map of Sundargarh district because it tradition has started in Bargaon. However, people celebrates Chait Yatra in the Hindu month of of this area think that it began some three to four Chaitra (March-April). hundred years back. Time is all-powerful and The main attraction of Chait Yatra is invincible. Nothing escapes from its command and performance of Ram-Lila during this period. It control. It lifts up anything to the peak of glory starts on birthday of Lord Ramachandra i.e. and grandeur. Also, it throws away anything into Rama-Navami Tithi. It means, it begins on Chaitra the dark of oblivion again. One and all are a mere Sukla Navami Tithi i.e. ninth day of bright fortnight puppet in the hands of time. Chait Yatra is also in the Hindu month of Chaitra and ends on not above this universal truth. i.e. full-moon day of Chaitra. Thus, it continues Today, Chai Yatra of Bargaon has become for seven days. Popularity of Ram-Leela in a tribal a unique folk drama form with harmonious blend dominated area during Chait Yatra reveals of folk and classical elements. In course of time, influence of Hindu culture and tradition. The the lyrical grace has embraced this dance form. organizers should be thanked for their Many unknown poets have composed songs in commendable job of promoting this tradition. different period of time. Consequently, the entire Chait Yatra is not performed purely for composition has taken the shape of a Giti-Natya public entertainment. One finds a myth-ritual i.e. lyrical dance drama. In other words, the entire performance relationship in this form of folk Ram-Lila is enacted in lyrical form. Time has, Yatra. This gives us an idea that, folk worship however, thrown these lyricists into the dark of and cult of Rama are associated with ritualistic oblivion. This is in fact the characteristic of a folk theatre form. Its basic function is religious and and tribal tradition where poet, writer and lyricist the event is normally festival and fair organized do not get personal recognition. by the village community to propitiate Lord Rama, During Chait Jatra, there is a group of Lord Laxmana and Goddess Sita. Thus, we may singers who recite and narrate these compositions. say that traditional performing art in Bargaon is The main singer is a Brahmin by caste who woven in the lives of rural population of Bargaon. observes certain rituals during Chait Yatra. Their subject matter is normally from the Indian Similarly, the character of Ramachandra is carried

15 Orissa Review * February - March - 2009 out by one Brahmin. He also observes certain Chait Jatra of Bargaon bubbles with rituals during the period of his performance. commercial activities. Various skills are used by Female characters are executed by male the organizers to raise income. Village lands are members. This is also the nature of a folk tradition auctioned to vendors who in turn do their business in West Orissa, where male members perform throughout the Jatra period. Under the veil of Chait the roles of females. It has gained wider Jatra, some people are found running tea stall, recognition as a folk drama and become one of pan shop and the hotel business encroaching upon the important regional folk traditions in West village and government lands. The typical rural Orissa. Apparently, Chait Yatra is organized with hat or bazaar comes up on this occasion adds to the coming together of professionals with its the colour and glamour of Chait Yatra in Bargaon. mission of liberating the human spirit for a better The cheap Sari, Dhuti, Lungi and tomorrow. Gamuchha, different colours and designs of Chudi The popularity of Chait Yatra has grown (bangles), Sindur (vermilion), various kinds of over the years. One finds tremendous enthusiasm inexpensive ornaments made up of brass, in Bargaon during this period. The fame of Chait aluminium etc, low-priced child garments, plastic Yatra attracts people from nearby villages and chappal and shoes, low-cost household utensils towns as well. Amazing eagerness and passion and such other items generally required in day to are noticed amongst the people residing in the day life of the common people in the villages add villages within ten to twelve kilometers radius of to the colour and glamour of this rural hat. Bargaon to witness this enchanting folk drama Piquantly, the biggest gainer of this Jatra so far form. has been this class of petty traders and businessmen. Several ancillary business also take This folk tradition has helped in preserving profit on the occasion of this Jatra, like Pheriwala and disseminating our ancient Pouranic Hindu who sale ribbon, thread and the like, not to tradition and heritage among the tribal people in mention the Gudia i.e. singda, pakodi, bara, piaji, this area. Downward devolution of cultural gulgula and bundi makers, publicity and make up elements of Ramayana Tradition (Great Tradition) materials manufacturers. and subsequent integration with the local tradition (Little Tradition) has taken place in Bargaon Chait This is an occasion when young girls meet Yatra. Constant interaction between the tribal and young boys. They select one another leading to non-tribal people has occurred at the grass root marriage. This is an event when the villagers of level. In other words, Ramayana has been Bargaon receive guests and relatives gladly. localized at Bargaon. Wounded relationships are repaired and social ties are renewed. Old friends and relatives meet Chait Yatra begins at night and continues one another after a long time. Thus, this serves a till the sun rise. Everybody enjoys the Yatra whole social platform for unity. Though the origin of this night. Frequently, people start approaching the lyrical folk drama is yet to be discovered, one village Bargaon from evening. One finds several point is clear that Ramayana cult has tremendous males, females and children from neighbouring influence on this dance drama. villages walking down on the serpentine roads leading towards Bargaon. Eagerness to reach the spot of Yatra is clearly noticeable on their faces. Excitement is more visible on the faces of children Dr. Chitrasen Pasayat lives at 152-Vijay Vihar, Nuagaon and young unmarried ladies. Besides Chait Yatra, Road, Sishupalgarh, Bhubaneswar, Orissa-751002. it is the hat which attracts them more. E-mail: [email protected]

16 Orissa Review * February - March - 2009

The Monsoon Via China Sea

B.P. Das

Water the prime natural resource is essential for due to change in atmospheric condition influenced human beings and is life of all living beings. After by climatological or geological factors, Sun's heat scorching heat of the sun specially in dry period, creates unrest causing all the natural hazards like; the need of water is utmost. The surface water rain, storm, whirlwind, dust storm, tornado etc. dries up, the sub soil water goes down beyond besides inducing rain, flood etc, need to accept pumping level during summer months, causes as part of life. water scarcity. The news in esteemed dailies The basic elements required for sustenance publish about the nonavailability of water in of life need protection to combat the hazards. The different zones/localities as it is a matter of water, air, heat are the benevolent gift of nature concern. Further, the photograph of long queue beneficiary elements also have devastating near a water source cover the pages indicating properties too. The calamities caused due to the lowering of the water table in those localities. ecologic change and loss of biodiversity erodes Due to climatological change the natural hazards the environment. India with about 10,000 Kms. do occur namely ; drought, flood, cyclone, heat coast line once claded with several species of wave, sun stroke, rain, earth quake and Tsunami dense mangrove forests in the shore, followed by etc. used to be good seasonal news of the period. species of littoral forest in the hinder land covers The nature exhibits its fury in the form of disasters high tide zone,prevents the warth of sea and categorised as "Natural Calamity". Unwantedly, protects the land mass, are no more there, it has to be endured, because we have no power resulting unrest. Hence, the sea water, waves, high or means to combat or prevent except, giving and nibb tides inundates not only the shore but periodical information of the movement of also inland being dragged by wind with velocity cyclone, hurricans, low pressures etc, in the of the wind which is not deflected away for loss formative stage only. of shore vegetation. In fact, the tidal swamps are The man being an integral part of ecosystem found along the coastal belt of the Bay of Bengal is concerned about the multiple devastating in the estuaries of the rivers - the Mohanadi, disasters that affect to loss of life and property, Bramhani, , Jambu and Budhabalang etc. all these devastations that affect to loss of life and The mangrove forests of Orissa though second property. All these devastating disasters that affect position next to Sundarban in India is more rich to loss of life and property. All these devastersare with genetic species. Years back, the whole of

17 Orissa Review * February - March - 2009 the sea coast in Orissa was coverd with mangrove Tsunami in the east coast of India in Tamilnadu vegitation. But, to-day it has shrunk only to and supper cyclone in Orissa, the velocity of which Bhitarkanika area. Therefore, immediate the rader could not gague, the roaring sea with protection and conservation of the Bhitarkanika high tidal bores more than 15 Meters high during mangrove swamp ecosystem is needed. 1999, flooded land with sea water over 20 Kms. The climate of Orissa is influnced by several In fact, the magnitude of damage of property, factors like sea Bay of Bengal, direction of wind, humanlife and cattle were unconceivable, those the Eastern Ghats and the geological situation. The are still fresh in the minds of the people of Orissa monsoonic rain-fall is essentially required for and global help relief reached the spot, with agriculture due to insufficient irrigation facility in adoption of villages affected. However, the the state of Orissa. Though the drought and flood cyclone originates from the low pressure area of situations give rise to crop loss and affect the the Pacific Ocean, traveling in West-Northernly economy of the people, some times, El Nino and direction, reaches the south China Sea. In the La Nino situation in the Eastern Pacific Ocean process it moves and gains intense velocity and has been related to either drought or flood situation becomes active, takes the form of a cyclone by in India. the time it entered the Bay of Bengal . The rain water falling on the ground, a After Tsunami and storm, the India born - portion goes as run off for want of ground Canadian settled, expert in T-sunami, visited India vegetative cover and some perculate, precipitate in September 2005 at the invitation of the down below charges the ground water reserve, Governments of Maharastra, Gujrat, Tamilnadu, aquifers, after the ground and sub-soil water Pandechery to suggest the measures for combating stratas are saturated. The heated air from the land the after effects of Tsunami and to mitigate the and water bodies carried water vapour high in miseries affected. He suggested to raise mangrove the sky get condensed and falls to the ground as plantations along the coast, those proved effective rain is pure water. The stock of water in reserves in the Andaman and Nicober Islands during cater to the need of dry and non rainy days as Tsunami. Further he said India is prone to many are perennial sources is sweet water which Tsunami. So it is high time for restoration of the is available only 0.029 % of the total stock of depleted shore ecology. water available in different forms. The availability Effort is on to reclad the shore biodiversity of water on the earth is governed by a by planting salinity resistant indigenous of phenomenon known as "water cycle" will go mangrove in the shore to protect the land mass always unintermittently till the sun shines in the from the ravage of disastrous natural calamities, sky. faced every now and then. The panic striken The remnant left over patches of mangrove coastal inhabitants have realised protective aspect forest still exit in the sea coast depict the profile of shore vegetation; so are interested in raising design of the nature for protection of the basic mangrove species in nurseries to plant up their elements of the ecosystem for all time to come. own lands and in fallow lands available around The heart breaking devastations caused due to their habitation, to safeguard their lives and earth quake at Bhuj of Gujrat, Luthur in livelihood. Though late, people are now conscious Utaranchal, in border of Jammu and Kashmir, and eager to protect remnant mangrove patches

18 Orissa Review * February - March - 2009 near the river mouths. Having the hill ranges in tide level with mangrove and hinder land with the West, the land of Orissa is sloped to the East. littoral forest species according to their heights to The water is drained to Bay of Bengal being provide projectile shaped canopy to deflect sea stagnated, stranded and obstructed intermittently wind to inland. The coastal ecosystem has been at several places due to artificial formations like.- subjected to various biotic influences, starting from 1). East Coast Railway Line stretching from removal of stems to clear felling for habitation and Howrah to Madras like wise(2) is the N.H. No. hamlets, since ex-zamidari estate period. Further, 6, (3) Express Highway No. 2, (4). Canal and the Bangladeshi intruders added more to the high flood river embankments. These causes problem by raising paddy crop in vacant lands. problem for easy drainage of rain water to the These Bangladeshi intruders managed to enjoy sea. Hence, cause water logging, leaching out of the benefit from both administrative and political salts affecting the fertility of the valuable alluvial patronage to get the encroached land recorded lands less productive. This is one of the major in their names and became bonafied voters, now factors eroding the socio economic condition and it is headache to Govt.. Besides these, the shrimp their livelihood as well. culture and industry, though environmentally not The proposal mooted for construction of accepted and discarded by many countries of the high embankment along side the sea coast of world, have flourished well in the coastal zone as Orissa shall add further to the problem. Such it has become a quick dollar earning business. proposition appears detrimental to the shore The depletion of the estuarine coastal ecology, landing the coastal inhabitants in helpless biodiversity being alarming, was discussed in the and helpless condition. The supper cyclone in State Assembly. The type of barrier to be created 1999 with more than 15 meters high tidal bores, all along the coast is under consideration of the with the velocity of the wind the water rushed Government. For execution of the project, earthen about 22 kms. inland. This being the factual high embankment or greenporus barrier need" position, the need to consider "how high the political will and administrative zeal " for quick coastal earthen embackment would be ?" The solution of the problem in the best interest of the probable adverse factors likely to occur, need people of the Orissa State. through examination by experts including oceanlogist Eco-friendly system adopted to combat and prevent damages appears possible by close multi row planting from sea shore to high B.P. Das lives at Suryavihar, Link Road, Cuttack - 753012.

19 Orissa Review * February - March - 2009

Workplace Woes

Ms. Subhashree Panda

As more and more women are going out to work, Ù Sexually coloured remarks they face an increasing risk of being subjected to Ù Showing pornography some sort of sexual harassment. Sexual harassment at the workplace is not a new thing. Ù Any other physical, verbal or non-verbal Sixty percent of working women have faced conduct of a sexual nature. sexual harassment at some point of time in their Sexual harassment takes place if a person: working lives. There are hundreds of women who Õ subjects another person to an unwelcome suffer in silence, quit their jobs or get transfers. act of physical intimacy, like grabbing, For years, sexual harassment was considered as brushing, touching, pinching etc. an inescapable part of a working women's life. Now awareness is slowly rising that no woman Õ makes an unwelcome demand or request should meekly accept sexual harassment as part (whether directly or by implication) for of her lot. According to the protection of Human sexual favours from another person, and Rights Act, 1993 "human rights" means the rights further makes it a condition for employment/ relating to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the payment of wages/increment/promotion individual guaranteed by the constitution or etc. embodied in the International covenants and Õ makes an unwelcome remark with sexual enforceable by Courts in India. It is necessary connotations, like sexually explicit and expedient for employers in work places as compliments/cracking loud jokes with well as other responsible persons or institutions sexual connotations /making sexist remarks to observe certain guidelines to ensure the etc. prevention of sexual harassment of women as to Õ shows a person any sexually explicit visual live with dignity is a human right guaranteed by material, in the form of pictures/cartoons / our Constitution. pin-ups//screen savers on What is sexual harassment ? computers/ any offensive written materials/ pornographic e-mails etc. According to the Supreme Court definition, sexual harassment is any unwelcome sexually Õ engages in any other unwelcome conduct determined behaviour, such as: of a sexual nature, which could be verbal, or even non verbal, like staring to make Ù Physical contact the other person uncomfortable, making Ù A demand or request for sexual favours offensive gestures, kissing sounds, etc.

20 Orissa Review * February - March - 2009

It is sexual harassment if a supervisor Some of the well-known Cases requests sexual favours from a junior in return for Sexual harassment at the workplace, as an promotion or other benefits or threatens to sack issue, captured the collective consciousness of for non-cooperation. It is also sexual harassment working women, following the Shehnaz for a boss to make intrusive inquiries into the private Mudbhatkal case. This gutsy woman worked as lives of employees, or persistently ask them out. a hostess for Saudi Arabian airlines. Her services It is a sexual harassment for a group of workers with Saudi Arabian airlines were terminated to joke and snigger amongst themselves about because she refused to surrender to the sexual sexual conduct in an attempt to humiliate or demands made by her superior. But Shehnaz embarrass another person. would not give in . Filing suit, she fought for 11 Types of sexual harassment years. In 1997, she was awarded full wages and continuity of services with effect from 1985. Sexual harassment at workplace is generally Sadly, the airlines appealed to Bombay High court, classified into two distinct types: which granted a stay. 1. Quid Pro Quo: However, this is not the only case of its "Quid pro quo" means seeking sexual kind. In 1994, Doordarshan (Hyderabad) favour or advances in exchange for work benefits producer Sailaja Suman took director P L Chawla and it occurs when consent to sexually explicit to court on charges of defamation, criminal behaviour or speech is made a condition for intimidation and trying to outrage her modesty. employment or refusal to comply with a 'request' She filed two separate cases in the Metropolitan is met with retaliatory action such as dismissal, Magistrate's court. Unfortunately, Suman was demotion, difficult work conditions. transferred to Lucknow.In another case , Nutan Sharma, a steno in the Union Ministry of 2. Hostile working environment: Railways, was transferred, following her complaint "Hostile working environment" is more that R P Sharma, Secretary to the Chief Operating pervasive form of sexual harassment involving Manager, molested her. work conditions or behaviour that make the work Alisha Chinai's suit against music composer environment "hostile" for the woman to be in Anu Mallik, demanding Rs. 26,60,000 as certain sexist remarks, display of pornography or damages for sexual harassment, met with a similar sexist/obscene graffiti, physical contact/brushing fate. Mallik filed a Rs. 2 crore defamation suit. against female employees are some examples of But the most well known instance of a sexually hostile work environment, which are not made harassed woman taking the help of the law to teach conditions for employment. the harasser a lesson is that of Rupan Deol Bajaj. What is the workplace ? Bajaj was slapped on the bottom by the then DGP of Punjab, K P. S. Gill. Accusing him of indecent The workplace is any area where the behaviour, Bajaj fought an 8 year legal battle. The employee is required to represent, carry out, hardwork paid off. Gill was convicted and perform or implement any duties, obligations or sentenced to three months of RI. services required. By this token, a home would be a workplace for a domestic maid. For a person Laws Under which a case can be filed engaged in a field job, the area that she covers in Section 209, IPC deals with obscene acts the course of her work represents her workplace. and songs and lays down:

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Whoever to the annoyance of others: Further section 7 (offenses by companies) holds a) does any obscene act in any public place companies where there has been " indecent representation of women" (such as the display of or pornography) on the premises guilty of offenses b) sings, recites or utters any obscene song , under this act, with a minimum sentence of 2 ballad or words in or near any public place, shall years. be punished with imprisonment of either What are the guidelines that govern sexual description for a term , which may extend to 3 harassment at the workplace? months or with fine or both( cognizable, bailable and triable offense ) Sexual harassment results in the violation of the fundamental right to "gender equality" and Section 354, IPC deals with assault or criminal "the right to life and liberty" besides the right under force to a woman with the intent to outrage her article 15 of the Constitution (which deals with modesty and lays down that : the prohibition of discrimination on grounds of whoever assaults or uses criminal force to any religion, race, cast, creed, or sex). Keeping these woman, intending to outrage or knowing it to be rights in mind, the Supreme Court has passed likely that he will thereby outrage her modesty, guidelines that have the force of law. The shall be punished with imprisonment of either guidelines have been broadly classified under description for a term which may extend to two preventive measures and coping measures. As part years , or with fine or both of preventive steps the guidelines include: Section 509-, IPC deals with word, gesture or Õ Express prohibition of sexual harassment act intended to insult modesty of a woman and as defined above at the workplace should be lays down that: notified, published and circulated in appropriate ways. whoever intending to insult the modesty of any Õ The rules / regulations of government and woman utters any word, makes any sound or public sector bodies relating to conduct and gesture, or exhibits any object intending that such discipline should include rules / regulations word or sound shall be heard, or that such gesture prohibiting sexual harassment and provide for or object shall be seen by such woman ,or intrudes appropriate penalties in such rules against upon the privacy of such woman, shall be punished offender. with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or both. Õ As regards private employers steps should (cognizable and bailable offense). be taken to include aforesaid prohibitions in the standing order under the Industrial Employment - Civil suit can be filed for damages under (Standing Orders) Act 1946. tort laws. That is, the basis for filing the case would be mental anguish, physical harassment, loss of Õ Appropriate work conditions should be income and employment caused by the sexual provided in respect of work, leisure, health, and harassment. hygiene to further ensure that there is no hostile environment towards women at the workplace. - Under the Indecent Representation of The guidelines as a part of the coping measures Women (Prohibition) Act (1987) if an individual include: harasses another with books, photographs, paintings, films, pamphlets, packages, etc. Õ Appropriate disciplinary action should be containing a indecent representation of women;" initiated against the guilty in accordance with the they are liable for a minimum sentence of 2 years. service rules.

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Õ The complaint mechanism should ensure Õ Express strong resistance the first time it time bound treatment of complaints and should occurs. If you allow the action to take place be adequate to provide where necessary a without expressing your strongest disapproval, the complaint committee, a special counselor or other offender will assume that he has your consent. support service, including the maintenance of confidentiality. Õ Do not encourage males to behave unbecomingly with you or try to attract their undue Õ The complaint committee should be headed attention. At all times, maintain your own self- by a woman and not less than half of its members respect. should be women. Further to prevent the possibility of any undue pressure or influence from Õ In case someone behaves with you in a senior levels, such committee should involve a manner that makes you feel uncomfortable, third party, either NGO's or other body who is protest loudly and at once. Let others know that familiar with the issue of sexual harassment. such conduct has been meted out to you. Õ Employees should be allowed to raise Õ Keep safe distance from offending party. issues of sexual harassment at worker's meeting As more and more women join the and in other appropriate forums and it should be workforce, the law must ensure that women are affirmatively discussed in employer- employee able to enjoy the rights promised to them by the meetings. Constitution. We must ensure that they are treated Õ Where sexual harassment occurs as a result with dignity and assured of gender equality and of an act or omission by any third party or an that they are not discriminated against on account outsider, the employer will take all steps of their sex. The issue of sexual harassment needs necessary and reasonable to assist the affected understanding, assessment, sensitivity and person in terms of support and preventive action. commitment from all quarters but mostly from the What is the employer's responsibility? senior managerial authority as their commitment and action can achieve the aim of prevention and The employer is responsible for creating effective resolution of sexual harassment at appropriate working conditions for health, work, workplace and a gender friendly, discrimination leisure, and hygiene. When the victim complains free workplace. to the employer, the onus is on the employer to make appropriate investigations. If the employer References : does not pay heed to the complaint, he can be 1. www. Indiatogether.org/combatlaw/vol2/issue3/ held responsible. The Supreme Court's guidelines harass are binding on central and state governments and the private and public sector. If the employer does 2. ww.helplinelaw.com not comply, he has to face a writ petition for 3. www.seasonsindia .com/education/woes sea. contempt of court. 4. www.bcfindia.org What can women do? Õ As women, we can make it easier for ourselves. Õ We must shed our mentality of tolerance. We have to stop telling ourselves that this kind of Ms. Subhashree Panda lives at Plot No.L-368, behavior on the part of men is inevitable and Baramunda Housing Board Colony, Baramunda, unavoidable Bhubaneswar-3

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Hanuman Temple at Jagati

Ramesh Meher

The Temple of Jagati is an important and had gone to his house. When the fisherman Hanuman shrine of Orissa. This temple is located slept on his bed in that night, he saw in a dream at Jagati village, in Laxmi Prasad Gramapanchayat that he has thrown the Lord Hanuman into the area of Boudh district, whose earlier name was water of pond. In the next day he had gone to Yayatinagara the capital of the Somavamsi period. collect the fish from that pond again that stone It is close to the right bank of the Mahanadi, was attached in his net. Then the fisherman rescued situated at the distance of about 13 kms from the stone-image from that pond and began to Boudh towards Sonepur. It can be reached by the state highway through a road of about three worship. At first this stone image was very small. kms. The temple is situated in the eastern side of According to local legend after few months this the Twin temple of Gandharadi at the distance of image began to increase day by day. At last a about one km. It is a small temple, which time came when this figure of image was increased dedicated to the Lord Hanuman. Hanuman, the to about six feet in height. The priest (the presiding deity of the temple is regarded as the fisherman) prayed to the lord Hanuman and said, protector of that area. From the architectural point if you would increase like this day by day, how I of view, the temple of Hanuman is not important can worship you. From that day, this image did as it is built in the middle of the 20th Century A.D. not increase. After that, the fisherman approached But the temple contains a sculpture datable to later to the local people of that area and decided to medieval period. The temple faces to the south build a temple for public worship. direction. A modest attempt has been made in this article to highlight the detailed art and Art and Architecture of the Temple architecture of the temple of Hanuman at Jagati. The temple of Hanuman consists of four Legend of the temple structures such as Vimana, Jagamohana, On the basis of the tradition, local people Natamandapa and Bhogamandapa. All these say that one day a fisherman collected the fish by structures of this temple are built in the burn bricks his net in the pond. He found a stone looking like and stones. The Vimana and Jagamohana of the a monkey in his net. At first, he threw this stone in temple were probably constructed at first. But the pond. Again and again these processes the other two structures were built in the later continue. At last he threw this stone in the pond period.

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Vimana period. These two are built in single structure. The The Vimana of the temple is a Rekha deula height of these two structures is about nine feet and its height is about 25 feet from the surface of .The bada of the both natamandapa and the temple complex. The base of the Vimana is bhogamandapa are combiningly built in single wall. rectangular. It is erected in the platform of one The entire bada portion of these two structures foot high. All the component parts of the bada are devoid of decorative ornamentation. The bada are mostly undecorated. Dopicha lion are fixed of the both structures are surmounted by modern on the top of the kanika pagas of gandi. Garuda flat roof. Above these structures, two mastakas figure are inserted in the four cardinal directions are found, one is for natamandapa and other is of the beki rahas. They are acting as the for bhogamandapa. The mastaka of this structure supporting element of the amalaka sila of the consists of beki, amlaka sila, khapuri, kalasa, mastaka. ayudha and dhvaja. The mastaka of the Vimana consists of beki, Date of the temple amalaka sila, khapuri, kalasa, ayudha(chakra) and There is no authentic historical evidence dhwaja. with regard to the approximate date of the A huge Hanuman image is enshrined in the Hanuman temple. On the basis of the architectural santum as the presiding deity of the temple. The features, the construction period of the Hanuman image is carved in the standing posture on a single temple can be tentatively assigned to the 19th piece of stone. He holds Gandhamardan Parvat century A.D. But the sculpture of Hanuman is (a huge rock) in right hand and katuri or short datable to the later medieval period. dagger in left hand. He weares a garland of jewels (vaijantimala) in his body.The presiding deity is It is known from the above discussion that decorated with orranments of heavy kundalas for the architectural features of the temple are not so neck. The pendant fitted to the necklace is said important like other notable temples of Orissa. to contain figure of Rama and Sita . The image is But the temple is considered by devotees as one made of sand stone and its height is about six feet of the important Hanumana shrines of Baudh and three feet width. The sanctum has one district. People of the neighbouring villages doorway towards the Jagamohana. worship this deity in large number. Festivals like Jagamohana Makara , Pana Sankranti, Dashera, Kumar Purnima, , Dola, and The Jagamohana or Mukhasala of the Gahma Purnima are regularly observed in this temple is a flat roofed structure and its height is temple with great pomp and enthusiasm. about 10 feet from the surface of the temple complex. The base of the Jagamohana is Reference: rectangular and it measures about 12 feet in length 1. R.P. Mohapatra, Archaeology in Orissa (Sites and 10 feet width. The structure of the and Monuments), Vol. I, New Delhi, 1986. Jagamohana is also erected on the platform of one foot high. All the components of bada are completely plain. Natamandapa and Bhogamandapa Ramesh Meher is a Conservator, Manuscripts Both the Natamandapa and Conservation Centre, P.G. Department of History, Bhogamandapa are constructed in the modern Sambalpur University, Jyoti Vihar.

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Reiki : A Noble Approach to Alternative Medicine

Dr. Parikshita Bindhani

Innovative technologies emerging in this century successfully treated by Alternative Madicines, for promise to elevate all aspects of human life, example : Reiki and Homeopathy. ranging from Health care to Communication and Alternative medicine is also called Recreation. However, with all the developments, Complementary Medicine, not in the sense that it we have also to face the depressing by-products is alternative to, but is complementary to orthodox of the technological advancements and the medicine. It has been defined so in the sense that lifestyles that the New Millennium demands. For it uses "Every available approach to healing that these, the twentieth century is described the age does not fall within the realm of conventional of anxiety, stress and strain. The disease-scenario medicine." That is to say, while conventional has undergone a sea change in the last few medicine follows the usual method of treating the decades. Population explosion, rapid growth of patient. Alternative medicine is often categorized industrialization, urbanization, environmental together with complementary medicine covering pollution, nuclear explosion, destruction of forest, such practices, which do not follow the mentioned green house effect, depletion of earth's ozone usual medical methods. There are more than one layer, and similar factors pose serious threat to hundred systems of Alternative Medicine, some our healthy life and peaceful mind. the syndrome of which are still in vogue all over the world. Some is increasingly affect normal mental condition, with of them include, Reiki, Ayurveda, Acupuncture, aggravating intra-personal feelings as well as inter- Naturopathy, Yoga, Acupressure, Homeopathy, Magneto-therapy, Electro-Homeopathy, Bio- personal well-beings with raised level of anger, chemic, etc. hatred, enimity, irritability, fear, grief, etc. These again are enhanced in situations, like mad Reiki is a form of spiritual practice, used competition for material gain, high ambition, as an alternative therapy proposed for the frustration, lack of love in family-life, etc. In order treatment of the physical, emotional and mental to adjust with all these problems, we often diseases. Dr. Mikao Usui developed 'Reiki in early promote use of Allopathic drugs, but it leads to 20th century in Japan. One of Dr. Usui's closest misuse or over use, drug addiction with more and collaborators, Dr. Chijiro Hayashi, took his place more aggravating the situation. It intensifies becoming the second Reiki Grand Master in the tradition. His successor Haway Takata became psychosomatic disorders, like migraine, asthma, the third Reiki Grand Master. At present, Reiki peptic ulcer, allergy, hypertension, anorexia, is applied by various organizations and it is very menstrual problem, etc. These are however, popular in all over the world.

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The word "Reiki" means 'Universal Life Cosmic energy with the patient through the master, Energy'. The syllable 'Rei' describes the universal it is necessary for the healer transferring Reiki to boundless aspect of this energy and the syllable place his/her hands on the patient with the intention "Ki" describes the vital life-force-energy, which of healing. The Reiki energy flows and heals the flows through all living beings. Reiki is also patient automatically. Reiki flows within the identified as cosmic life force, universal life-force- physical body through pathways called charkas, energy, bio-plasmic energy etc. The process the meridians and nadis. It also flows around us in a Reiki healing involves is to attract the universal- field of energy called 'Aura'. The life force is life-force in the healer's palm and to pass it onto responsive to thoughts and feelings. Since Reiki the patient. This is called "Transfer of Life-Force has its own intelligence and knows exactly where Energy". It is a healing touch to initiate fresh flow to be transferred and what to do, it is not of life energy to the total personality to cure necessary for Reiki to be directed to the exact diseases of allkinds, beginningfrom simple disease place of disease. It (the flow) becomes disrupted like cough and cold to complicated and so called when one develops negative thoughts, either incurable disease, like, cancer and mental or consciously or unconsciously. The best results of psychological disorder without application of any Reiki are achieved by remaining calm and relaxed other medicine. and allowing Reiki to work in itself. For, Reiki is Since Reiki stands for flow of cosmic ultimately guided by divine consciousness. energy or vital power, decrease or lack of the Apart from healing the patient, Reiki flow of the power in the person appears in the Healing has additional benefits including form of disease. Hence, the transference of Reiki refinement of the Reiki energy and channelising by the Reiki healer to the patient fulfills and increased strength or the energy in the individual corrects the required level of flow of cosmic and sorting out mental or physical disorder. Reiki energy in the patient, and as a result, the disease, healing is also effective for clarity of mind, whatever it may be, disappears automatically. this increased psychic sensitivity and raised level of clarifies that Reiki healing is not directed to the consciousness. disease, but to the patient. It is applied to fulfill Any person can practice the Reiki healing the flow of cosmic energy. If the level of this is along with other practices, like Homeopathy and inappropriate in the patient by transference of Ayurveda. It can also go well with psychological Reiki the level becomes fulfilled in required amount and spiritual knowledge, modern scientific and manner, Required amount, because Reiki is exposure, which are accessible to everyone. supposed to have intelligence that is again for the Homoeopathy Medicine treats patients as cosmic energy is not inert or blind, and therefore, psychological and spiritual beings as well as how much of the level of flow of energy is required educates them to take care of their own for a particular person is determined by the energy psychological and physical health, which is also itself. If the flow of the energy is already in the complemented by Reiki healing. Looking at this state of required level in any person, then no more Reiki healing, like Homeopathy, involves in or less of this can be effected by the transference teaching the patient to change life style, habits, of Reiki. Hence, no side effects or harms are nutrition and proper exercise. It not only cures found in the Reiki healing. In this process one's the diseases, but also helps in preventing upcoming energies as well as state of well-being are never diseases with putting a tab on maintaining physical depleted. as well as psychological well-being. Reiki is a kind of channelised healing. Experimentation on Reiki has revealed that at the Dr. Parikshita Bindhani lives at E-25, Utkal University attunement, i.e., at the connection of Universal Campus, Vani Vihar, Bhubaneswar-4.

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Cuttack Carrying the Urban Culture of Ganga Orissa

Dr. Pramod Kumar Mohanty

Ganga rule spanned nearly for three hundred and the phase as the golden age in the cultural history fifty years (1112 to 1435 C.E.). It produced of Orissa.1 The article focuses on mapping out fifteen rulers. Among them three: Chodaganga critically the evolving cultural forms of Cuttack Deva (the founder), Anangabhima Deva-III and city during the rule of Ganga dynasty. Narasimha Deva-I were men of exceptional Cuttack boasted of a strong military abilities and outstanding rulers. Under their strong presence consisting of two mighty forts, that in arms the military might of Orissa reached dizzy turn constituted the inner ring of a chain of five heights, with its territory extending from the defensive forts such as Jajpur Kataka (Kataka Ganges to the Godavari. They could also meant fort here), Chhatia Kataka and Chowdwar mobilise substantial resources through booty from Kataka in the north, and Sarangagarh Kataka in military expeditions and an elaborate taxation the south-- built by Chodaganga Deva.2 consisting of land tax, plough tax, ferry tax, fishing Successive rulers strengthened the defence of tax, taxes on water reservoirs, hunting tax, taxes Varanasi Kataka and the other Katakas as lines on fruits and flowers, taxes on non-agriculturists of defence. It became one of the strongest and several other visible and invisible taxes. It defended forts in eastern India. It came to be produced an ideal condition for the proliferation dotted with white palaces. For this reason Kataka of human activities in myriad of fora ranging from / Cuttack looked like a heaven / paradise due to 3 military might and politics to trade, commerce, its scenic and pleasant look throughout the year. religion, fine art, music, dance, education, Apart from being a strong military centre, as literature and architecture. Cuttack, as the capital of a mighty empire Cuttack came to acquire an aura of its own as centre of Rajdhani (capital city) of the mighty Gangas, organized polity and bureaucracy, centre of was the prime and central place of all these opulence, rich mart of trade and commerce, and activities. It reached pinnacle of its power, name, as the centre of culture in the fields of art, fame and glory as a cultural centre of medieval literature, religion etc. In spite of their engagement standard. The available modes of public sphere in wars and conquests, that was inevitable in an such as temple walls, inscriptions, prasastis age of feudal warfare; the Ganga rulers devoted (edicts), literary creations of various hues provide time for devising an elaborate administrative substantial evidences to that effect. Some system, which produced an ideal condition for historians have also been tempted to characterise the cultural flourish.

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Given the nature of urban existence of the the people and indoctrinated them to its ideology. period, the residence in township / nagara was They held high positions in bureaucracy such as restricted to rich, powerful and 'cultured' ones. rajapurohita, senapati, champati etc.5 They The poor or the subaltern classes generally lived also excelled in learning as many great writers and in villages. In spite of that the Ganga Cuttack was record keepers came from the ranks of the characterised by a layered and pyramidal culture. Brahmans of pratiloma gotra. Their ritualistic At the apex was the royal culture headed by King. supremacy made them play a key role in both the The royal culture was, however, tempered by the process of state formation and the urbanisation high morals of the kings, the rules of dharmasastras of the period. The Ganga rulers cleverly cultivated and the wise counsels of their officials. The next the priestly class, who not only manned the rung was constituted by the culture of nobility administration and military but also provided them consisting of the royal relatives, ministers, and ritualistic and ideological services by linking them the other high civil and military officials. The to mythical kshatriya lineages, by foisting divinity ministers were cultured ones being well versed on them and by making them god-kings. Thus, in in politics, capable of destroying enemies by order to counterbalance the more volatile feudal feats of strategy, of virtuous character and of elements and hegemonise the subject classes, they unfailing resolution. The illustrious and fortunate adopted a systematic policy of settling the king used to govern the country with their Brahmans in large settlements, called sasanas, advice and the rules of rajyadharma as near political centres. The Brahmans of lower prescribed in the sastras.4 Most of them were ranks belonged to the categories of puja pandas permanently stationed at capital and constituted / temple priests, water carriers, fly-whisk bearers the most privileged section of its society. Some and others connected with ritual duties. As of these officials served the territorial recorded in the Srikakulam epigraph of the assignments and posted in different parts of the Gangas, a class of Brahmans specialised in empire in tune with the feudal nature of the trading.6 Some brahmins were also practicing state. Besides these officials, there were agricultural operations and doing carpentry jobs.7 autonomous and semi-autonomous chiefs, Next in hierarchy were the kshatriyas, although zamindars and the other local potentates. All these claiming decency from either Lunar or Solar race, elements constituted the elite culture and were the were of heterogeneous origin. With kshatrisation most privileged section of the contemporary continuing to gain momentum, they continued to society. But they constituted the parasitic and held high posts in administration and military.8 The pompous elements, as they lived on the revenue period also saw the formation of a military / extracted from the masses, and lived on latter's peasant militia sub-caste among them, called toil. In a feudal state, the city manifested all the popularly as khandayats (one who holds the elements of a feudal culture. The society was sword) and paikas (peasant militias), from a divided into traditional four varnas and numerous heterogeneous source, including the tribal roots. castes and subcastes, with each having a calling Over the years they became feudal lords and and a culture congruent to it. Brahmins enjoyed started assuming high sounding titles and became the highest position and privilege both in the royal a caste in themselves, as Ganga rule was court and outside it. They constituted an important particularly characterised by the establishment of pillar of Ganga statecraft as its preacher among khandayat settlements around temples and forts /

29 Orissa Review * February - March - 2009 cities.9 Another dominant caste specialising in during the period. As the capital of mighty Ganga writer's or record keeping jobs came to be known rulers, Cuttack enjoyed the enormity of in Orissa as karanas. Some of them were resources, which flew in the form of revenues of descendants of kayasthas coming from Bengal or various types and the tributes of various kings. other regions. As per the Ganga records, some Gangas devised an elaborate taxation structure, among them rose to nayakship / high feudatory i.e., land tax, custom duties, excise duties, duties status and also held different posts like prime on mineral and forest products, tolls on ferries, minister, revenue minister, general, sistu / court fees and fines etc. To these must be added personal secretary, accountant, majhi / village the income that flew in from trade and headman etc., often enjoying land grants.10 They commerce, as Cuttack become the chief entrepot came to occupy a dominant caste status in the of Kalinga's trade and commerce: internal and society. As far as the lower rungs of society was external; land and water. Evidences: inscriptional, concerned, there was decline in the status of literary, archaeological, artistic, legendary and vaisyas, who, owing to decline of overseas trade, numismatic etc., throw light on the flourishing craft were taking up the occupation of cultivation and culture in Orissa.12 Delicately woven silk saris and the military jobs. Sudras, however, continued other handloom varieties, stone idols, stone and their mobility upwards by claiming equality of bell-metal utensils, various precious stones, status with vaisyas. Many among them assumed diamond, musk, spices etc. constituted the main the position of nayakship and claimed kshatriya items of export.13 All these point to the rich craft status. Some amongst them also took to culture in the city and its hinterland, from where intellectual leadership protesting against the the products used to be brought to it for sale and brahmincal dominance in sastric and cultural for exchange. The industrial culture of the city was fields.11 Although there were no queen rulers like based on the cottage industry that hinged on the preceding Baumakara period, the Ganga manual labour, individual skill and on the simple temple sculpture depict women as warriors, and instruments with a small capital. In addition, the co-participants with their male counterparts in royalty and many of the affluent denizens of the public rituals. Elite women enjoyed high status as city had their karkhanas (workshops) that evident in position occupied by sanis / devadasis, employed a number of craftsmen on wage labour. which during this period connoted celebrity The industrial culture of the city must have received women accomplished in music and dance. a shoot in its arms, as it received patronage from Since the towns are an expression of socio- the royalty, nobility and the affluent citizens of cultural relationship of the region and bear the Cuttack, who were connoisseurs of arts and stamp of their time; Ganga Cuttack did express crafts. the ingenuity of its rulers, the taste, preference The above discussion on the political and and the vanity of its elite, the expertise of Oriya industrial culture of the city provides a broad lead craftsmen that propped the crafts industry, the to draw significant inferences on the occupational mettle of the Oriya soldiers and the business culture in the contemporary Cuttack.14 Among entrepreneurship of its traders. All contributed the elites were included the royalty, nobility their mite to its opulence, craft flourish, trade and and the personnel (high) in the government, the commercial boom, as manifested in the urban rich merchants, traders and the bankers who growth and then growth of urbanism observed controlled the trade, both internal and the external.

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They were popularly called the mahajan- works of the poets and writers of Ganga court, sahukars. In the plebian category were the the magnificent temple building and town building craftsmen engaged in the state owned or nobility activities of Ganga rulers, the munificence of its owned karkhanas, the independent wealthy inhabitants and their religious homesteaders and other craftsmen who were preferences etc. The cultural and the material organized along the line of family labour with a elements combined to give birth to the regional few among them employing some of their brethren. tradition of Orissa, with Cuttack as its focal point. In fact, one of the key elements of Ganga state Gangas were patron of art, literature, architecture policy was to set up caste based occupational and culture. They maintained a dignified court at groups in different parts of the empire, more Cuttack, to which flocked the talents in all particularly in the nagars / katakas.15 Industrial fields and from different parts. They were and occupational culture of the period replicated catholic in religious matters. They lavishly donated the family culture. Thus, for example, the famed and recognized the brahmins, religious teachers, silver filigree works at Cuttack was confined to a men of letters etc. across the religions. The few families. Among the other major cottage dwellers of Cuttack including the ministers, industries of the period were weaving (cotton or nobles, merchants, wealthy women et. al., as well silk), carpentry, boat building, blacksmithing, did not lag behind in their artistic and literary mat weaving, pottery, goldsmithry, toy making, taste, munificence, and in their religious cane works, stone-cutting etc.16 Probably, they devotion. In spite of their restricted access to were organized into something like a guild to education, the women, especially those belonging protect and promote their interests.17 Their to elite category, also excelled in sastric learning.18 chiefs had an important say in the administration They had the material opulence to entertain of the town and the royalty treated them with such expensive propositions and pursuits. Thus, importance and respect. Besides the craftsmen, as many as twenty Telugu inscriptions at the the subaltern elements in the city included the Simachalam temple in Andhra Pradesh refer to servants of royal household and those of the the residents of Varanasi Kataka, to their elites, the manual wage labourers, the philanthropic activities and their religious common militia, cultivators, and the landless donations to Lord Narasimha, the presiding labourers, (as Cuttack by then standard must deity of the temple.19 The period witnessed have a substantial agricultural population). Since greatest advancement in the temple architecture the social stratification, as obtained in the by introducing such features as saptaratha plan, contemporary Cuttack was more complex natamandapa and bhogamandapa as compared to those in the countryside; the culture adjunctive structures, addition of miniature shrines of former took a multiple layered form than latter. and the construction of basement plinth. Advantages that accrued to Ganga Chodaganga himself started the construction of Cuttack as being the centre of administration the present Jagannath temple at Puri, thereby and commerce enabled it to became a famous recognised the Jagannath Cult as national religion cultural centre of learning, art, architecture and of Orissa and contributed his effforts towards its religion. Cuttack became the epicentre of popularity. Thus, in the process, he became one cultural efflorescence in its myriad forms in Orissa. of the builders of the Oriya nation. Apart from All these got manifested in the form of literary being learned, he was proficient in fine art and in

31 Orissa Review * February - March - 2009 the art of war.20 Some of his queens are also religious institutions; as evident from credited with undertaking the public works like inscriptions of the temples of Amareswar, Kauslya had a large pond, called Kauslyaganga, Anantavasudeva and Simachalam etc.24 Extensive dug near Bhubaneswar. His another queen, Laxmi, patronising activities of the rulers and the ruling set up a Brahman sasana (settlement) along with classes suggest their participation in all important the Laxminarayan temple near and dug the famous ritualistic structure, which provided strategic Laxmisagar pond at Bhubaneswar. Anangabhima- space for gaining legitimacy in the eyes of people II built the temple of Patalesvara. He heightened and gaining their unquestioned subordination. In the compound walls of the fort Barabati, and tune with the contemporary standard of the built roads, bridges and tanks, and made all statecraft, the Ganga rulers and the ruling class round improvements of the town. Anangabhima- made political use of the culture by highlighting III was a great builder of his time and built the places of religious importance through temples, roads, tanks, houses etc.21 As already patronisation and the erection of religious edifices, noted, he built a new capital called Abhinava elaboration of ritual services in main religious Varanasi Kataka along with the fort of Barabati. centres and by posting groups of religious Besides, he was a great devotee of Jagannath preceptors at these temple and monasteries at and completed the temple of Jagannath at Puri. different parts of their empire to act guides of the He added Natamandapa and Bhogamandapa to people and indoctrinate them to Ganga state Lingaraj temple at Bhubaneswar. He is also ideology25 -- a signing example of culture-power credited with building a Jagannath temple inside relations. The resources of an extensive empire Barabati fort 22 and installed Lord Purusottam and the rich booty from the military expeditions there.23 He was munificent towards Brahmans and were deployed by them to build stupendous designated himself as rauta / deputy of Lord monuments in stone, which represented the Jagannath. The Cult of Jagannath, commingling haughtiness, sovereignty and the supremacy of all the religious traditions of India, reached a great Ganga rulers vis-a-vis feudal lords and common popularity during his reign. Narasimha-I; the hero subjects. They also bear eloquent testimony to of many stories, legends, ballads and dramas, and the artistic excellence of contemporary craftsmen the most distinguished of the Ganga monarchs; and the a phase of resurgent Hinduism of was the most prolific builder and excelled in Vaisnavite variety. learning. His greatest creation was the Sun As can be gleaned from the records: Temple, called Black Pagoda, at Konark-- a epigraphic, temple and literature; the religious symbol of victory, worship and love. It was a world of contemporary Orissa brimmed with poetry in stone and marks the apogee of Ganga activity and marked by new developments. temple art--an act of exquisite workmanship. John Although direct evidences are lacking, yet Cuttack Marshall, a great art critic, called it an as the capital city would have been a centre stage unparalleled monument in Hindustan. to the developments in religious sphere. The Narasimha-I's building activities were mostly religious scene was a complex one with the outside his capital, probably because he did not existence of multiplicity of sects of Hinduism. want to overcrowd it. Similarly, King Bhanudeva- Vaisnavism, Saivism, and Saktism were its major I (1264-1278 C.E.) and his courtiers were sects. Its minor sects being natha panthis bounteous in their gifts to Brahmans, men of letters, believing in pinda-brahmanda-tatva, nirguna

32 Orissa Review * February - March - 2009 brahma upasakas believing in the principle of century. As a result, the Cult of Gopinath / Krishna Sunyavada / voidity etc. Although on a was gaining ascendancy in Orissa. This was regressive path, there also existed the followers evident in the construction of several Gopinath of Sahajayana / Sahajadharma / Vajrayana temples and the discovery of several Gopinath sect of Buddhism believing in the principle of images from different parts of Orissa, and the bodha chitta / deep concentration. Vaisnavas depiction of the miracles on deeds of Krishna in were more solidly organised through their sculptural panels, literature, music, dance and the mahajana sabhas, Vaisnava trusts and folk plays of the period.29 In the 13th century the Srivaisnava organisations. Besides, Vaisnavism disciples of Madhavacharya like Narasimhamuni, also received fillip owing to the visits of their whose disciple was Narahari Tirtha (who teachers like Ramanuja, Madhavacharya, Ananda flourished as a poet, an administrator and a sage Tirtha and Nimbarka to Orissa during the period. in the court of Bhanudeva-I), preached the Although they were more inclined towards Vaisnavism of dvaita-advaitabada (dualistic Vaisnavism, the Ganga rulers were eclectic non-dualism) variety.30 During Ganga period the towards other sects in tune with the Hindu- Krushna-Vasudeva worship gradually evolved Sanatana tradition. Their numerous inscriptions into Gopalkrushna puja / worship. Reign of attest such fact. Chodagangadeva was a Saivite Narasimha-II, however, saw resurgence in in his early life. Several temples of other sects Brahmanism; as evident from the books like like Saivism and Saktism were either established Shraddhapadhati, Vivahapaddhati (of or received grants from the Ganga rulers.26 Sambhukara), Karma Dipika, Saivism and Siva-Parvati tatva / principle in its Nityacharapaddhati etc., which were written popular form spread in Orissa. This was evident during the period. In 14th century Vaisnavism in a number of texts written on it during the period got a boost owing to the visit of Nimabarka, a such as Rudra Sudhanidhi by Narayan Nanda disciple of Ramananda, to Orissa. He preached Abadhuta Swami, Kalasa Chautisa (the first the daita-daitabada believing in atma (soul) and essay in Oriya) by Vatsa Dasa, Somanatha Brata paramatma (god) duality. Gradually a synthesis Katha / Upasana, Nagal Chausithi Brata was evolved between the Vaisnavism and Saivism Katha etc.27 Vaisnavism was in ascendancy during the period in the form of Hari-Hara cult.31 under the patronage of Ganga rulers. Sacrifices of the animals were being performed. Chodagangadeva became a Vaisnavite under the The images of female goddesses like Laxmi, influence of Ramanuja, who visited Orissa during Durga, Sita and Ganga were worshipped in his reign to preach his visistadvaitavada,28 and temples. Goddess Laxmi became particularly started the construction of Jagannath temple at popular in every homes with the rising popularity Puri. By considering Jagannath as the of Vaisnavism and come to be worshipped in the Paramavishnu, he made Him the state deity and forms of Laxmi-Narayan, Laxmi-Narasimha and Jagannath dharma / cult as the state religion of Laxmi-Varaha. Discussion on puranas, Orissa. For centuries the popular trend was in vyakarana and kavya were the popular features. the direction of Vaisnavism. One of the biggest Gold coin was in circulation. It shows that the push to its popularity in Orissa in the form people (the elites at least) were happy and Radhakrushna Prema / love was given by prosperous. Religion was held in high esteem Jayadeva through his Gita Gobinda in the 12th by the king and the people alike. Further, both

33 Orissa Review * February - March - 2009 the people and the kings were not dogmatic in students from different places. Both Anangabhima- their religious views, as Vaisnavism, Saivism and II and III are depicted as vedic and sastric Brahmanism sects of Hinduism were being scholars. Poet Shri Jayadeva, the author of Gita pursued with harmony and without rancour. The Govinda (a lyrical ballad), flourished in the reign Ganga kings, although had a cherished deity in of Raja Raja-II.34 Vidyadhara; the author of Jagannath, did respect alternative views in Ekavali, an excellent literary work; was the conscience in true Hindu Sanatana Dharma court poet of Narasimha-I. Of course, it was tradition. The trend towards syncretism was an eulogy depicting his patron, the monarch, palpably clear. By appropriating all other varieties, as a great builder, patron of religion and as a Jagannath Cult came to represent a universalistic benevolent ruler. Apart from Vidyadhara, religion, reflecting thereby, the adoptive instinct Narasimha's court was adored by many men of of the age that accommodated the consciences outstanding literary and artistic talents. In fact, the of all the people inhabiting then Orissa. Such vast resources of his empire, apart from the universalistic form of Jagannath Cult became the normal outlets, got a creative outlet in art, most popular form of religion within Orissa (the architecture and the literature. Cuttack became cult spread to other parts of India as well)32 and an enviable place of that creative culture as the held together the loosely structured empire of the capital city. Narahari Tirtha wrote Sukrabhasya Gangas for 300 years. By raising Jagannath to and Naraharitirthiya (commentary on the level of universal deity and characterising their Upanishads). Art and literature also flourished empire as Purusottama samrajya, they created in the reign of Narasimha-II. He himself was a sense of belongingness among the people of a great scholar of vedas and sastras. Orissa (that can be compared with term Sambhukara, Vidyadhara and Sankhadhara communitas in community and nationality were the great pundits in his court. Several studies), thereby facilitated the evolution of important literary works were produced during regional tradition of Orissa around it with all its the period concerning the religious practices, catholic principles. Ganga rulers and the people which reflected the contemporary social of Cuttack were the key actors in the process. conditions as well. The tradition of court culture, Religion and architecture apart, Ganga being enriched by the talents from several fields, rulers maintained a luxurious court that kept was cherished by the successive Ganga rulers and prominent space for the literary pursuits and was buttressed by the vast resources of their taste. This was reflected in their patronage of empire. Thus, Narasimha-III (1328-1352 C.E.) scholars, men of letters, and poets etc. Both the maintained a luxurious court at Cuttack with rulers and the ruling class patronised the learning ministers, poets and other luminaries. The famed by way of land and village grants to teachers, Smriti writer Vidyakara Bajapeyi, as referred pundits and institutions like temples, which then to in the inscriptions, flourished during his constituted the centres of learning imparting reign. Similarly, the court of Narasimhadeva- lessons on Sanskritic lore, music, dance, art and IV (1378-1414 C.E.) was also adorned by architecture etc.33 Ganga inscriptions are replete writers of great repute like Viswanath Kaviraja, with references to grants of agrahara (tax free) the author of Narasimha Vijaya and or the grantees being depicted as academy of Sahityadarpana; Pandit Chandrasekhar, the learning and abode of learned scholars attracting author of Puspananda and Basudeva. Even

34 Orissa Review * February - March - 2009 some ministers of the Ganga rulers were great mainly the domains, where the brahminical culture scholars in vedas and sastras, i.e., the war ruled the roost relegating others to peripheral minister of Anangabhima-III. In tune with the status. General inferences, however, can be tradition, Sanskrit was the language of literary drawn on their conditions of existence in a feudal expression. The themes focussed on the elements context. The domain of public sphere and public of great tradition, i.e., gods and goddesses, culture hardly gave space for these sections, given philosophical speculations, religious rituals, court the medieval context of patriarchal society. matters, statecraft and social customs. Eventhough Oriya was then the language at the popular level, Sanskrit remained the form of Another cultural dimension of Ganga literary expression. Literature remained largely Cuttack was the significant growth noticed in divorced from the people and remained focused dance and music under the patronage of the Ganga on Sanskritic, religious, royal and elitist matters. rulers. This was evident in the institutionalisation It operated within idiom set by the cannons of of devadasi system and the elaboration of temple contemporary literary creation. But the broad rituals during the period, which led to addition of current was in favour of Oriya language, which the structures like bhogamandapa and was gaining momentum as evident in the literary natamandapa to temple architecture in order to creations of the period that were incorporating accommodate the inflated rituals. Ganga charters large elements of Oriya vocabulary, i.e., the mention numerous instances of such ritualistic Gitagovinda of Jayadeva. Education remained the services. In the temples the provisions were made monopoly of elites, i.e., the Brahmans and for dancers, singers and instrumentalists.35 Temple Kshatriyas. Others like vaisyas and sudras (who became the veritable theatre of dance, music and were mostly tenants cultivating the lands of non- tradition (apart from being a learning and social agriculturists) leaned on their caste and family centre) in contemporary Orissa. Ganga temples vocations and were largely debarred from formal like Sun, Jagannath etc., are replete with such education and the power structure of the society. dancing and musical panels depicting dancers in Contents of education smacked of elitist bias different pose, singers carrying different musical focusing on sastric and literary leaning having little instruments etc. All these attest the vibrant musical information on vocational and professional and dramatic tradition of the period. aspects, and had little to relate on the life of the Coming to study of the domain of popular subalterns.36 Women irrespective of the class and culture, particularly of the marginalised sections caste were subordinated to males. The women like untouchables, women and other plebian of elites like royalty and nobility had to contend categories; not much can be told of, owing to with additional difficulty of polygymous absence of direct evidences, as the poor and husbands.37 Concubinage became fashionable underprivileged lived mostly in villages. They had and a status symbol among the elites. Smritis even marginalised presence in the contemporary prescribed more than one wives and concubines, township. Only a small portion of them doing who were refered to as bhogapatis in the records service to the royalty and nobility, and patronised of the period.38 Monogamy, however, remained by them as household servants, artisans and practice among the common people. Prostitution, craftmen lived in town / nagar. The contemporary child marriage and collection of bride price by cities in general and Cuttack in particular were the greedy parents were the other practices that

35 Orissa Review * February - March - 2009 afflicted women.39 Even though they were adored with the toils of mundane life and make it in literature of the period, excepting a few amongst enjoyable in a feudal setting. the elites, a vast majority of them remained There were, however, the cases of the illiterate. Patriarchal culture prescribed the ideal 'transgression of boundaries' / 'the circulation of traits and roles for them as devotion to god and objects' between the elite and popular cultural husband, remain charitable in character, of pure elements, as in medieval Orissa the process of and just conduct, compassionate towards indigent, state building had important consequences for both well disposed towards guests etc. The commonly elite and popular culture. The urban culture of the used idioms for housewives were susila (of good period as a social category was the ultimate character), samastadharma paripalini (one who outcome of the strategies of rulers, preferences performs all dharmas), kulambonidhi of ruling elite, nature of political economy, chandrarekha (a crescent moon to the ocean of demographic and urban expansion; and the belief 40 family) etc. With the institutionalisation of systems, values, symbolic practices and the devadasi system, women came to be symbolised everyday practice of the common masses. Rise as sex objects and got depicted in the literature of new social groups, decline in status of and temple sculpture as dancers, musicians, brahmins, continuing march of kshatriyaisation, nayikas (play characters) and as amorous decline in status of vaisyas and upward mobility 41 couples. Social preference of the period was of sudras, and consequential rise of new social loaded in favour of males and birth of a girl child groups, as noted earlier, led to significant changes 42 was considered as ominous. The impact of in social stratification and social tension. All these cultural flourish hardly touched the worlds of made the real socio-cultural field much more fluid drudgery and subsistence of the marginalised than evident in the brahminical literature and sections. Life for them was stereotype except for created spaces for alternative intellectual and some occasions as the celebrations of mass / spiritual movements. The period saw the personal festivals like Jayanti, Savitri, , Ganesh emergence or continued growth of old and new Chaturdashi, , Rathayatra, etc. religious and popular protest movements such as Jayanti and Savitri were the royal festivals and Sahajayana sect of Mahayana-Vajrayana were observed with uninhibited generosity. Buddhism, Sakta-tantric cults, Natha cult, There were special purpose ceremonies like sasthi Vaisnavism etc., against the hierarchical and rigid puja on the sixth day of a new born child and brahminical cultural order. These heretical and upanayana on the occasion of initiation to new religious sects assimilated vaisyas, and later learning etc. Games of various types like chausara sudras and tribal to their fold. In fact, many of the / dice, jhimiti, wrestling, hunting etc., added tantric teachers and siddhacharyas of the period further flavour to their life, especially for the upper were sudras and tribals such as fishermen, leather sections. Games like dudu, nata khela etc were workers, hunters etc.43 They were accepted by mean for the common masses. Besides there were the lower castes as their moral preachers. Their akharas, opera houses, musical gatherings etc, literary creations such as Charya Giti of with which they made their life interesting. Sahajayana, Natha Sahitya of Nathapanthis etc., Elements of the folk literature like festive songs, by reflecting alternatives world views tried to children songs, ritual / festivity songs, game songs, transgress the cannons of brahminical order. religious songs, stories etc., enabled them to bear Charya Gitis / the dohas of Sahajayana, for

36 Orissa Review * February - March - 2009 example, visioned a casteless egalitarian society, empire, was not merely a centre of polity, in which a chandala (an untouchable caste) could economy and society but also of the creative marry a brahman, there was no caste exploitation culture that moulded the taste of the time and the and there was unity of all. It also rebelled against times subsequent. In this context, Cuttack in the brahmanical literary cannons by depicting association with Puri, the place of Jagannath, was scenes of mundane life like duties of grihasta / the axis around which resolved and evolved the household, role of women in society, cooking and regional culture of Orissa. True to the civilizational drinking of wine, cultivation and dress of tribals role of the cities, Cuttack became the crucible in forest, hunting scenes, trade by sundi (a trading of new ideas and knowledge. caste) caste, weaving cotton and various articles References: by lower castes, song and dance, music and 1. Das, H. C.; "Socio-religious Conditions of Orissa musical instruments, tantric practices in the place Under the Imperial Gangas," in H. S. Pattanayak of celestial beings and their frolics.44 Likewise, & A. N. Parida (eds.) Aspects of Socio-cultural nathasahitya of the Natha cult expressed belief life in Early and Medieval Orissa, P.G. Dept. of only in one god and in one principle that of the History, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, 1996, pinda-brahmanda-tatva. Through the p. 14. enchanting lyric of its devotional songs (particularly 2. Panigrahi, K.C.; History of Orissa, Cuttack, 1986, p. 96. the lyric of the song of the sanayas of 3. Das, Chittaranjan; Odisa & Odiya, Eastern Media, Gobindachandra), it has enriched the culture of Bhubaneswar, 1988, p. 121. 45 Orissa, including its urban culture. There is need 4. See: Journal of Asiatic Society of Bengal (1896) for further deeper studies of the elements of Vol. LXV, p. 271. Also See: Das, H.C.; Military popular culture such as practice of common History of Kalinga, Calcutta, 1986, p. 203-4. religious practice, carnivals, witchcraft, forms of 5. Several inscriptions attest this. See Epigrapha religious protest and everyday protest, tradition Indica (EI, henceforth) Vol. IV, pp. 314-18. and folklore / folksongs, lullabies, artifacts, 6. See Das, H. C., N. 1, Ibid., p. 15. popular paintings, feasting, dancing, singing, 7. South Indian Inscriptions, Vol. III, pt. No. 280, p. acting, marriage and family life, values, violent 347. Also see Panda, Shisir Kumar; "Changes in the Pattern of Social Stratification in Medieval protests, symbols and the 'social life of things' by Orissa, Cir. C.E. 1100-1600," in H. S. Pattanaik & means of bricolage / 'cobbling together' of elements A. N. Parida (eds.) Aspects of Socio-cultural life from diverse sources to understand their in Early and Medieval Orissa, Dept. of history, mentalities, the logic of their different Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, 1996, p. 29. appropriations and adaptations of diverse objects, 8. See Kulke, H.; "Kshatriyazation & Social Change, A Study in Orissan Settings," in S. and to find a coherent and articulate philosophy / Devidas Pillai (ed.) Aspects of Changing India. "the first principles." Studies in Honour of Prof. G. S. Ghurye, Bombay, As evident from the critical study of their 1976, pp. 398-399. Quoted by Panda, , Ibid., p. 30. records, the Ganga rulers were cultured ones and 9. Ibid., p. 17. He quotes the authority of K. N. enlivened the culture of their times. The cultural Mohapatra. Also see by the same author: route adopted by them not only enabled them to Resources and Responses in Two Orissan claim and ultimately achieve the imperial status Villages, Calcutta, 1979, p. 45. Also see, Panda, but also led to proliferation of activities in diverse N. 7, Ibid., p. 31. spheres. Cuttack, as the Rajadhani of Ganga 10. See Panda, Ibid., p. 32.

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11. Epigraphic records attest these developments. 19. Das, H.C. "Cuttack Under Dynastic Rule" in See South Indian Inscription, Vol. VII, No. 335. Behera, K.S., Pattnaik, J. and Das, H. (eds.) See Panda, S. K.; "Nayaka System in Medieval Cuttack One Thousand Years, (COTY, Orissa," in K.K. Dasgupta et. al (eds.) Sradhanjali henceforth). The Universe, Cuttack, Vol. I, 1990, Studies in Ancient Indian History, Delhi, 1988, p. 397, Also Ref. Rao, N.M. (ed.) Simhachalam pp. 92-107. Also see, Panda, N. 7, Ibid., p. 31. Temple Inscriptions, A.P. Archaeology and 12. Various types of coins used during Ganga Museums, Hyderabad, No. 5, 1987, pp. 8-9. rule have been discovered. As referred to in 20. See Mahatab. H. K.; History of Orissa, Vil. I, the inscriptions on them, two types called 1959, Cuttack, p. 202. Gajapati Pagoda and Ganga Fanams are 21. See Das, H. C, N. 1, Ibid., p.18. generally assigned to Ganga Period. 22. See Panigrahi, K.C.; Itihasa 'O' Kimbadanti, 13. Kanungo, Harihar; "Katakara Naubanijya" (Oriya), MBD, Bhubaneswar, 1962, p. 36. Also (Oriya) in B. Mohanty and S.C. Mohanty (eds.) see Dash, Kailash, Ch. (1990) "A Study on the Nagar Kataka, Orissa Book Store, Cuttack, Vol. Formative Phase of Abhinava Varanasi Kataka" I, 1990, p. 205. in COTY, Vol. I, p. 19. And See Tripathi, K.B.; 14. Although direct evidences are lacking, an idea "Sanskrit and Oriya Inscriptions Relating to Cuttack" in COTY, Vol. II, Section-IV, 1990, p. 2. on the city's occupational culture can be inferred from the Nagari Copper Plate Grants of 23. Acharya, Paramananda; "Cuttack and Its Anangabhima-III that records the land grants Monuments" in Orissa Review Special, Cuttack in Purnagram and Jayanagar villages in Saila Municipality, Cuttack, 1977, p. 1, Also see Sinha, Visaya, near Cuttack, to different occupational B.K.; "Excavations at Barabati Fort: Cuttack groups such as: gandhika (perfumer), sankhia 1989-91,"? in COTY, Vol. I. Section-I, 1990, p. 64. (dealer in counch shells), pata-kara (wood-cutter 24. South Indian Inscriptions, Vol. IV, No. 1084. / carpenter), suvarnakara (goldsmith), kansyaka 25. The religious preceptors were acting as (brazier), gudika (dealer in sugar), gopal superintending sadhus to inculcate the moral (milkman), tantubaya (weaver), tailaka (oilman), and social obligations, and duties of officers and kumbhakara (potter), kaivarta (fisherman), napita people alike as per the sastras / dharmasastras- (barber), silpi (craftsman) and rajaka - remind us of the dhammahamamatras of Asokan (washerman). The social stratification and craft times. Though there existed different groups of culture of contemporary rural Orissa can be such preachers like Vaisnabas, Saivas, Saktas, stretched to Cuttack city, as it was by Bauddhas and Jaina; yet the Vaisnavas and contemporary standard an "urban" settlement. Saivas were better organised. See Dash, R.N, N. 15. See Dash, R.N.; "Vaisnava Preceptors during 15, Ibid., pp. 55-56. Later Eastern Ganga Rule in Orissa, 1076-1435, 26. Important Saivaite and Sakta temples built C.E." in Pattanaik & Parida (eds.) Aspects of during the period, under the active patronage of Socio-cultural life..." opp. cit., p. 55. Ganga rulers or the ruling class, were Bhaskareswara, Meghesvara, Chitrakarini, Sari 16. Ibid. Deul, Parvati, Yamesvar, Varuneswara and 17. In Orissa, there is no evidence as yet that shows Mitresvara at Bhubaneswar; Chandaneswara at the existence of guilds like other places in India. Tangi; Gadagadeswara, Bankeswara etc. at 18. There were ladies well versed in Vedas, Puranas Balasore; and several others at Chitrotpola and and Sastras. Thus, Sivarani, a lady of Ganga Prachi river valleys. In addition several Ganga lineage, was described as Kaliyuga Sarasvati. rulers and elites donated / made several Chandrika Devi, the daughter of Angangabhima, provisions for different services in different was learned and skillful in art of music and dance. temples. See Das, H. C, N. 1, Ibid., p. 22. Thus, apart from eduction, the royal ladies also 27. Mishra, Gadadhar; Odiya Sahityara Samajika and excelled in music, dance, and the devotion to Sanskrutika Itihasa (Oriya), Takshyasila, Cuttack, gods and gurus. See EI, Vol. XXIII, p. 150. 1997, p. 80.

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28. It is said that Ramanuja started panchavrata 36. Syllabi of the period included veda, upanishad, paddhati at Jagannath temple. His visit was purana, philosophy, smriti, nataka / drama, followed by the visit of his disciple jyotisa, ganita (mathematics), yoga, kavya, Madhavacharya, who accepted Jagannath as mahakavya, chautisa, chitravidya / fine art, Adivaisnava and preached visistadaitabada silpasastra / science of architecture etc. In through yogachaya paddhati. Followers of addition, the princes learnt wrestling and fighting Ramanuja were called Srivaisnavas. etc. Ascetics / saints learnt special courses like 29. See for example the Gopal temple at Remuna, tantra vidya, kundalini yoga, hatha yoga, betala Gopinath temple at Kakudia in Daya valley, sddhana and darsanas / philosophies. images from Dharmasala, Gopinath sculptures 37. King Chodagangadeva had 18 wives. See Das, at Rathijema and Dandamukundapur in Jajpur, H. C, N. 1, Ibid., p.18. Sakshigopal image in etc. The cult 38. See Ramachandra Rao, C.V.; Administration and of Ananta-Vasudeva also got highlighted after Society in Medieval Andhra C.E. (1038-1538) their enshrinement at Bhubaneswar under the Under Later Eastern Gangas and Suryavamsi Ganga initiatives. Gajapatis, 1976, pp. 318-19. 30. Das, N. 19, p. 389. Also see Mishra, N. 27, Ibid., p. 183. 39. Allusion to bride price is found in Kalasa Chautisa of Vatsa Dasa. See Mishra, N. 27, Ibid., 31. Thus, Lord Lingaraja at Bhubaneswar came to p. 84. be worshipped as Hari-Hara. See Odisara Sanskrutika Itihasa, Orissa Cultural Forum, 40. See Tripathi, Sasmita, "Women in Early & Grantha Mandir, 1978, p. 79. Medieval Orissa," in Pattanaik & Parida (eds.) Aspects of Socio-cultural life...", opp. cit. pp. 32. Jagannath temples were constructed in several 37-38. parts of Orissa such as at Kantilo, Kendrapara, Patnagarh, Agarapara etc. A series of Jagannath 41. See sculptural panels in the temple of temples also cropped up in central India (MP), Brahmeswar at Bhubaneswar and in the temple south India (AP), eastern India (Bengal, Bihar, of Sobheneswara at Niali. See Das H. C, N. 1, and Manipur) and North India. See Ibid. Mohapatra, K. N.; "Rastradeveta Sri Jagannath," 42. See Sahoo, K.C.; Literature and Social Life in Orissa Historical Research Journal, Spl. Vol., p.3. Medieval Orissa, Ranchi, 1971, p. 62. 33. Raja Raja's brother-in-law, Svapneswara, had set 43. Protest literature and philosophy of the period up study centres on Vedas. Narasimhadeva-II attest these trends. See Charya Gitika (Oriya) donated hundred sasanas to brahmins for (ed.) Mohapatra, Khageswar, Cuttack, 1976, p. promotion of learning. His governor, Narayan, 8. made provisions in temples for imparting 44. See Mishra, N. 27, Ibid., pp. 62-71. instructions in Vedas, Puranas, Kavya, Vyakarana etc. See Das, H. C, N. 1, Ibid., p.18. 45. Both Charya Giti and Natha Sahitya belong to 34. Minhaj-is-Shiraj, Tabaquat-i-Nasiri, English 11- 13 century C.E. Ibid., p. 72. Translation by Major Raverty, Vol-III, p.113. 35. Chodagangadeva made such provisions in the Madhukeswara temple. Narasimha Bharati and Narasimha-III made such provisions for Simhachalam temple. Natamandapas were added to the temples of Lingaraj at Bhubaneswar, Jagannath at Puri and Sun at Konark etc. See Das, H. C, N. 1, Ibid., p. 20. Although we have no direct evidences for such provisions for the temples existing at Cuttack, yet these provisions must have been extended to them in keeping Dr. Pramod Kumar Mohanty lives at Plot No. 102, with the trend of the period. Nagar, Unit-VII, Bhubaneswar-751003

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The Evolution of Oriya Alphabet

Dr. Harihar Routray

The present State Orissa lies along the east coast which has no link with any other period in the in north latitude 17° 49' and 22° 34' and east process of development of other letters. The great longitude 810 23' and 87° 29'. It is comparatively changes came due to the introduction of new rich in epigraphic materials for the study of the writing tool of broad and edged pen which begin evolution of Oriya alphabet. The Oriya script, is with a thick top and gradually thin downward traceable to the earliest decipherable alphabet of stroke. The vertical by their tapering thickness India, called Brahmi1 of 3rd century B.C. found received a new shape which looks like the at Dhauli2 on the southern bank of the river Daya addition of a thick triangular head mark on the near Bhubaneswar and the other at Jaugada3 on top. Such influence is marked in the Bhadrak the bank of the river Rishikulya in . stone inscription of about the 3rd - 4th centuries The Asokan Brahmi found in these two places A.D. The growing influence of the stylus in south present a general similarity all over India. Each India in the 5th - 6th centuries A.D. resulted the letter is distinctly formed and no cursive writing in letters to become more rounded and have waves the way of continuously drawn outline is in their forms. The archaic and box - headed noticeable. The free movement of hand resulting forms though developed in the southern and the round forms and the letters are not having any western Orissan inscriptions from 5th to 7th serif on the top. The Asokan Brahmi alphabet is century A.D. but they have less importance to the mother of modern Oriya alphabet like the other show the evolution of Oriya letters. However the regional alphabets of present India. On the basis letters in the Sirpur stone inscription of the time of technical achievement and introduction of new of Balarjuna of the 7th century A.D. present north writing tool, the archaic form optionally met with Orissan letters and have some link for the growth in the Hathigumpha inscription of Kharavela of of Oriya alphabet. The palaeography of the 1st century B.C. Due to the use of a broad or inscriptions of the Dattas, Vigrahas, Sambhuyasas edged pen, the letters used in the minor rock and Naga families of north and central parts of inscriptions of 1st century B.C. at Udayagiri hill Orissa from 5 to 7th centuries A.D. are greatly became more angularised. The introduction of 'tha' marked for the development of Oriya letters. In became almost same as used in the present time, the Sumandala copper plate grant of Prithvi

40 Orissa Review * February - March - 2009 vigraha Bhattaraka of 5th - 6th century AD., the roundish both on the top and at the bottom in the letters like ga, ta, tha, ya, la and ha became more later records of Orissan inscriptions and then took developed and the letters like ga, tha, and sa the Proto-Oriya and Oriya forms in the Gajapati clearly suggest the origin of Oriya letters in the records of the 15th - 16th centuries A.D. Though 5th-6th centuries A.D. From the last quarter of the Nagari alphabet predominated in the records the 6th century A.D., another tendency is marked of the Imperial Gangas but in some instances the in the Sailodbhava records of northern Orissa of Proto-Oriya forms are developed. The early about the 7th Century A.D. The letters are sloped Oriya characters are best represented in the from the right to the left and show acute angle at Siddheswar temple inscription of Ganga king the lower ends. From the first half of the 8th Narasimha IV. The vertical line became longer century A.D. to the middle of the 11th century and shoots up as parallel to the top part of the A.D., the Bhaumakaras followed the characters letter as seen in the Bhubaneswar bilingual stone of the Sailodbhava formulas but the scripts are inscription which shows the Proto-Oriya form as generally taken to be of the eastern variety of the under developed out from that variety. This has north Indian alphabet. Their letters became helpful been represented in the letters such as ga, gha, for the development of Proto -Nagari and Nagari na, pa, pha, ma, ya, sa and sha. The Proto-Oriya characters used by the Somavamsis of north and and Oriya characters were also in the process of central parts of Orissa of 11th - 12th centuries assuming their present form in the Bhanja records A.D. The scripts of the Somavamsis bear a close of the 12th - 13th centuries AD. This is evidenced resemblance to their modern Nagari counterparts. from the forms ta, tha, pa, pha, sha, and distinctly The earliest extant records of the family such as look like the modern Oriya characters as the Vakratentali plates of Mahabhavagupta I particularly seen in the Adipur copper plate grant Janmejaya shows fully developed beautifully of Durjayabhanjadeva. In the Antirigam plates of drawn top line covering the entire upper portion Yasabhanjadeva the letters are more modern than of the letters. The changes of the top horizontal the other and more prominently of the Oriya style line to triangular headmark is found carried to its logical conclusion of the records of of writing. The later development is marked in Mahasivagupta-I. The usual feature of the the records of the Suryavamsi Gajapatis of the triangular head mark played a crucial role for the 15th - 16th centuries AD. Then the Oriya letters development of a number of Oriya letters. In the influenced both by the Nagari and southern Bhubaneswar inscription of Chodagangadeva of characters as well as Proto-Bengali letters. As the 12th century A.D, the right part of the top the palm leaf were the only writing materials in triangle became open as seen in the letters of ka, ancient Orissa as in the other parts of the sea - cha, ja, ta, da, dha, na, ta, da, dha, na, bha, ma, coast provinces of southern India, an iron stylus ya, la, va, and ha. This feature is also seen in the was employed for scratching the letters and this Puri inscription of Anangabhima III of 13th century gave rise to the rounded shape of the Oriya AD. The opening triangular head mark became characters.

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References : 11. EI., VoI.XI, pp. 93 - 95 ff and plates. 1. The earliest Indian script running from the left 12. EI, Vol. XXX, pp. 31 -32 ff and plates. to the right is known as Brahmi script. 13. Ibid. pp. 197 203 ff and plates. 2. CII.Vol.I, pp. 84 - 97 ff and plates. 14. In Orissa the Proto - Oriya is represented by the 3. Ibid., Vol. l, pp, 101- 115 ff and plates. charters of the later kings of the Somavamsis, Bhanjas and imperial Gangas. It has gradually 4. The Mauryan Brahmi has been found in the transformed into modern Oriya alphabet. Asokan rock and pillar edicts. The script used in the Asokan inscriptions is called Asokan Brahmi 15. EI., Vol. XXIX, pp. 105-08 ff and plates. alphabet. 16. EI., Vol.XXXII, part -V. pp . 229-38 ff and plates. 5. EI, Vol. XX, pp. 77 - 97 ff and plates. 17. EI,Vol XXV, pp 172-73 f and plates. 6. EI, Vol. XXIX, p.169 f and plate. 18. EI., Vol.XVIII, pp. 298 --99 ff and plates. 7. It is called box headed because the top of the letter give the appearance of small square boxes which are formed by linking of four strokes in the form of a square. 8. EI, VoI.XXXI, pp. 197-98 f f. and plates. 9. EI,VoI. XXVIII. pp. 79 - 85 ff. and plates. 10. It is used in the 10th and 11th centuries A.D. Orissan inscriptions. It is clearly marked by the covering of a horizontal bar on the top of the Dr. Harihar Routray is a Research Scholar and he lives letters. At/Po/Dist. - Jajpur.

Chandipur Seashore

42 Orissa Review * February - March - 2009

Bharat Leela or Subhadra Parinaya : A Cultural Extravaganza of Southern Coastal Orissa

Dr. Pratap Kumar Dash

Like Pala, Daskathia, Sankirtan, Chadeya who very often wanted to keep the world under Suanga, Dhuduki and Ghoda Nacha, there is a his control and to prove himself supreme. Also very famous rural folk poetic dance drama called he wanted to kill Krishna and Balaram so as to Bharat Leela or Subhadra Parinaya present in invade their country and to win the wife (or so to Orissa. It is highly popular among the rural people say Patarani of Krishna, Satyabhama) of of Orissa, because it has all the ingredient of Srikrishna. The performance of yagnya was the entertainment for them. It is highly dramatic, right time for him to attack both of them. Then musical, mythological and literary. People say Krishna and Balaram had nothing to do but to that this kind of dance-drama is initiated escape from his attack. So when they took shelter simultaneously in the districts of Ganjam and or hide themselves in the yagnya kunda, Nayagarh propagating Oriya tradition and culture. Gosingha was able to take Satyabhama forcibly This Subhadra Parinaya or Bharat Leela or Duari and made an attempt to go away. But just at that Nata is of great demand than Suanga or Sangeeta time of going away with Satyabhama an or Rasa. The three characters Arjuna, Subhadra obstruction came on his way. At night, when he and Duari or Dwara Rakshaka (gatekeeper) are was going in his chariot, Satyabhama used to cry taken from the Mahabharat. They make poetic helplessly, which was heard by the great warrior references of the writings of Upendra Bhanja, Arjuna, who was then spending his cursed exile Gangadhar Meher, Bhakta Charana, Kabisurya in the forest. In addition Arjuna was there because Baladev Rath, Abhiram Paramahansa and Charan he had promised the sun god to help him come Das etc. round from a very serious disease called The actors go on singing the songs of the "Ludubudu". There was only one remedy for this play themselves and very often are supported by disease that he had to burn the "Khandaba Bana" the group of background singers called as Palia. of Indra, the king of the gods. But Indra was Actually the story of Bharat Leela is taken from unwilling to allow the sun god to burn that precious the incident of the Krishna Leela. The mythological forest since it was full of very useful plants and story says that Lord Krishna and Balaram trees. But Arjuna owing to his commitment to the arranged a yagnya. But while doing this sacred Sun, helped him set fire in the Khandaba forest. work, they became the victim of a very powerful So that was the time when he heard the cry of and dreadful demon king named Gosingha Daitya, Satyabhama. Since it was dark night, he did not

43 Orissa Review * February - March - 2009 like to go to the place where Gosingha was going Saraswati to provide him due knowledge in due with Satyabhama. So he sent a "Manabhedi" time. Then he takes the lead role as the thread arrow (the arrow that can control one's mind) at bearer between Arjuna and Satyabhama and that direction which could stop the chariot of finally Satyabhama gets access to reveal her Gosingha from moving ahead. They were caught purpose of arrival at the door of Arjuna. In the in the magical net formed by that arrow. Next meantime the gatekeeper straight jumps into the morning, Arjuna went to that place, killed ocean of knowledge vested in references of the Gosingha and rescued Satyabhama. He took her Mahabharat, the Ramayana, other Puranas, back to the abode of Krishna. At that time he legendary and mythological stories. He designs spent some days there as the guest of Krishna. the story of union of Arjuna and Subhadra, the In the mean time, Subhadra the most sister or Lord Krishna in a purely scholastic and beautiful and lovely sister of Krishna had a deep aesthetic way. In the different contexts of the inner desire to marry Arjuna due to his bravery proceeding of the play, he discusses about the and handsomeness, When she could learn that six natures present in man; also he discusses the Arjuna was very much present in their place, it relevance of ten names of Arjuna; he refers to was a golden chance for her to win his heart. Shankaracharya's Mohamudgara, the different Satyabhama had also a clear cut idea about the sayings of Sanskrit and Oriya scholars too. His weakness of Subhadra towards Arjuna. So she main aim is to evolve the aesthetics of the also wanted to make her dream come true by Mahabharat that provide different ideal instances uniting both Subhadra and Arjuna. So she left for common man to live a farsighted, reasonable, Subhadra free to win the heart of Arjuna. Finally intellectual, artistic and spiritual life. Arjun in the the dwara rakshaka or duari worked as the go meantime does not easily accept the deep love of between. He is also called Betrahasta. Since he Subhadra for him. So he becomes very callous hold a guarding stick in his hand. His role is to believe and accept her. Then this gatekeeper important since he made the marriage between takes the vital role of convincing him to accept Arjuna and Subhadra possible after a prolonged Subhadra. Cordially, while trying to convince series of combat of wittious literary arguments Arjuna, he resorts to different mythological were over. Thus let us focus on the technical instances like how and why the world was progression of the poetic drama. created, where lies the essence of faith and love, The play actually starts with an invocation what are the ingredients of love of man and to goddess Bhavani by the chorus singers. Then woman. He gives reference to the mythological the story proper starts. The time of the story is king Dakshya Prajapati and the origin of different midnight when Arjuna has gone to bed. He gets life styles in the earth. He refers to logical and up all of a sudden to hear knocking and shout of ethical topics related to virtue and sin; refers to a woman at the door of his residence. Then he the stories associated with the eight royal queens orders his gatekeeper to inquire and inform him of Lord Krishna; focuses on the follies and foibles about all that matter. Then the turn of the of the characters of Arjuna and other characters gatekeeper comes. He starts his action on the of the Mahabharat. He specially refers to the stage by praying his master or Guru; then he prays theoritical and artistic analysis of the love of Radha Lord Jagannath, Lord and goddess Krishna too.

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Finally, he discloses the truth to the audience developed such a poetic drama in the districts of that is the farsighted plan and illusion created by undivided Ganjam and Puri, but credit goes to lord Krishna. He discloses the truth that this drama some specific persons like Kirtan Gaud of Ganjam of union of Arjuna and Subhadra takes place and Nabakishore Samanta. Their disciples have because from them Abhimanyu is to be born; he spread the poetic drama through the districts. The is to be killed mercilessly and unlawfully by the Bharat Leela groups of Digapahandi of Ganjam Kauravs in the battle of Mahabharat. As a result and Patharkata of Nayagarh perform this on that painful event instigates Arjuna to join the battle different occasions of fairs and festivals like of the Mahabharat and fight for the cause of Kumar Punima and Dola. The lead role of establishing the law of nature in the earth. gatekeeper is very attractively performed by While expressing these subject matters, he Nabakrishore Samanta (Nabina) and Nabaghana sings songs beautifully changing the rhythms and Parida (of Digapahandi). Nabakishore Samanta tunes. He sings following the Binakar, Haliageeta, and Dutikeswar Dalabehera (of Muthagadia, Dhuduki, Pala, Sankirtan, Chadeya Suange styles Nayagarh) have given this story of Mahabharat a and the singing style of the Odia Ramayana. At beautiful poetic Drama form. This poetic drama times these traditional style of songs are added is enacted continuously at least for two days with the songs of , Champu and Chhanda covering the festival nights. Sometimes a etc. They have composed songs themselves in competition is organized between two famous dals Chaudakshyari (14 letter lines) in couplets and and the audience enjoy the aesthetic of the art. quatraits. They also sing them in the style of Pallavi, Prize is given to the attractive performers. Chokhi and popular tunings of present time. The songs are full of humour, logic and wittious references of mythological stories. The history of this Bharat Leela or Subhadra Parinaya dates back to sixty years or Dr. Pratap Kumar Dash is a Lecturer in English, Ranpur so. Some rural art and culture loving people College, Ranpur, Nayagarh.

Udayagiri Ranigumpha

45 Orissa Review * February - March - 2009

The Holy Land of Hindus - Orissa

Pramoda Chandra Pattanayak

Since the period of remote past the state of Orissa, of Mahabharat the king of Kalingas with his great alias Utkal, alias Kalinga alias Odisa has been numbers of war-elephants supported Duryodhan holy place for Hindus. The life is said to be his son-in-Law. This caused a lot of worries in incomplete for Hindus without touching the dust the camps of his opponent. Though prehistoric, it of this holy land according to Hindu Philosophy. is an authentic document in support of bravery of The nomenclature of the state as 'Utkal' was the Kalingas and prosperous period of the state. derived probably from Sanskrit word 'Utkarsha' But the darkest period for the state began on the meaning the best. But Dr. Mayadhar Mansingh enforcement of the Treaty of Allahabad in 1975 opined differently which may also be correct. by which Lord Clive obtained the Dewanship of According to Dr. Mansingh the name Utkal was Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa from the then weak derived from the tribe of the same name, then Moghul Emperor reducing the territory of the inhabited in the State. Dr. Mansingh based his state. By the time the state was occupied by opinion referring to "Raghu Vansa" of the poet Marathas till 1803 before it was taken over by Kalidas wherein the great poet described that the the British Administration. Marathas got only of Utkalas guided the Army of Raghu after the Cuttack (not entire state) from the Nawab of victory of Bengal across the river Kapisa, now in Bengal, Ali Verdi Khan in 1751 in condition that the district of Midnapore of and led they should not cause any trouble in the borders the army to the land of Kalingas in the southern of Bengal. It seems the people in the southern part. Then the army took shelter in the cool forest borders of Bengal were harassed by the frequent of Mahendra, now within the territory of the state attacks by Marathas. In addition to the province of Orissa. But this tribe of Utkal lost their political of Cuttack Marathas were getting an amount of identity, the reason of which are obscure and twelve lakh rupees annually as a pocket money history appears to be silent on this score. Of course in lieu of stopping their menacing activities and it is logical to consider that this tribe has been collection of revenue from Orissa. This pocket overpowered by the Kalingas in course of time. money was also continued by Lord Clive as The Kalingas were well known in and outside the Dewan of the three States. But the historians differ country not only for their bravery but also for their on the above account. While some historians daredevil spirits and overseas trades etc. Further, support the above account others differ. They say for the information of readers, in the epic battle that by paying this handsome amount Aliverdi

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Khan was able to knock out the area north of named as Utkal University. The name of the state river Suvernarekha upto the river Ganga and finds its place in our National anthem as Utkal. annexed it to Bengal leaving Marathas only area The Stadium of Bhubaneswar is named as Kalinga south of Suvernarekha as province of Cuttack. Stadium so on and so forth. There is also a move The state lost this area to this day. But the fact is to change the name of the state from Orissa to that the area of the state was from the river Ganga Utkal by some group of people which of course in the north to the Godavari in the south when did not get momentum in want of wide support. occupied by Afgans and later by Moghuls. Now some people like to write Odisa instead of Orissa in the manner of Mumbai to Bombay, At some point of period in the past Kalingas Bangaluru to Bangalore, to Calcutta etc. were wiped out by a barbaric tribe, the Odras, But officially the name of the state continues to probably drawn from the western side who be Orissa till to day. gradually dominated in the area and contributed to the identity for the state so far as the language, The state was called differently at different life pattern ,profession and cultural aspects are periods in the past but the boundary used to be concerned. The descendants of Odras lived upto from Ganga to Godabari. There is no dispute over the present era in the name of Odas, with their this point. It seems the king of Orissa, Mukunda age old agricultural practices, the Odas formed Harichandan (1559-1568) had undertaken a the backbone of the state. They used to produce massive project of excavating a canal from the the primary need of the life, the food grains . This river Ganga at Triveni, presently in the district of peasantry class with their habit of hard labours Midnapore of West Bengal which was then within used to produce grains more than their the territory of this state. A good account of this requirements. Thus being a surplus state was is found in history that the king Harichandan himself generous to supply to other neighbouring states was supervising the project at Triveni away from at the time of their scarcity. The lives and activities Cuttack, his royal Headquarter. Taking full of this peasantry class have been vividly described advantage of his absence in the headquarter, the by the master craftsman of the language of the Afgan Muslim ruler of Bengal could successfully yester years, Fakir Mohan Senapati in many of organize a coup to occupy the state. Thus the his writings of which "Chhaman Athaguntha"is a state faced a disastrous fate for its people who classic of all time. Of course before Fakir Mohan, resisted all the previous coups of Muslims during Sarala Das had done a good accounts of the preceding three centuries from south and north as well. This was the first time the state came peasantry class of the state in his epical volumes under a Muslim ruler after the death of vanquished of Mohabharat. king Harichandan. In spite of the victory of the This is how the name of the state at different Afgans in the battle field, the ruler could not periods has been changed from Utkal to Kalinga subdue the Oriyas who continued the guerilla and Kalinga to Odra (Udradesa) and finally from fighting showing the extreme patriotism for their Odra to Odisa. Odisa became Orissa probably Motherland. This led to anarchism for a period during colonial period. Despite the present name of over twenty years causing lot of sufferings for of the state, the people, specially the high profile themselves. During this period the mighty Army group, have an inclination towards the old names. of emperor Akbar under General Jai Singh came That is why the first University of the state was to Orissa and drove away the Afgans from this

47 Orissa Review * February - March - 2009 land. But Jai Singh was so, overwhelmed with between the rivers washed by the holy water of the bravery of the Oriyas and their cultural activities the above rivers is considered as holy. Further that he did not want to rule the state and simply Puri is washed by the waves of blue water of Bay imposed a token amount in recognition of his of Bengal the Mahodadhi. It is believed in Hindu victory. At the end of the period of anarchism the philosophy that people become free of their sins state was gradually overcoming the depression either of commission or omission, on touching the when people assembled and elected a person dust of this holy land. named Ramei Routra, son of Daneye Bidyadhar This holy land has, therefore, attracted as their chief. Rame Routra was then elevated to many great men and philosophers since prehistoric the rank of Maharaja of Orissa (AD.1580) and period to this time. It seems Pandavas renamed as Ramachandra Rao and this also got accompanied with their common wife, Draupadi the approval of General Jai Singh. Incidentally visited this land. Out of many dignitaries and emperor Akbar had his tour to this state in search Mahatmas (great souls) who visited this holy land of royal interest. But like General Jai Singh he Chaitanya, Shankar, Ramanuja, Madhav, Ballav, was too much impressed to find this holy land, Nanak, to name the few. During movement of especially, Bhubaneswar with its numerous independence of India, Mahatma Gandhi decided temples and their architecture, knowledgeable to start his Dandi Jatra in Orissa from the holy Brahmin Pandits and their sacred activities and city of Jagannath and moved in the rural Orissa characters etc. He finally decided not to interfere upto the borders in the North. The last but not in their affairs and left the region to the native the least, Ashok the Great came to rule this land princes. Midnapore was made northern boundary but the magic of the holy land converted him from of Orissa and Orissa was made a Seharate Suah Chandasoka to Dharmasoka by the bravery and under Moghul Empire with five divisions such as patriotism of the people of Orissa. (i) having Midnapore, Baukura and a part of Balasore. (ii) Bhadrak - with lower On the above account, this holy land has Bhadrak and northern part of Cuttack. attracted the pilgrims from far and near and (iii) Cuttack with rest part of Cuttack and entire Srikhetra (Puri) is the hub throughout the year. Puri district. (iv) Kalinga covering Ganjam and But the Car festival is the special attraction which Srikakulam districts. (v) Rajmahendri covering up draws people of the country and abroad area between Godavari and Krishna. As such the irrespective of caste, creed and colour. state's territory extended from the Ganga in the North to the Godavari in the South is not an imagination of somebody but a history. As the rivers Ganga and Godavari even the river Baitarani are considered holy by Hindus Pramoda Chandra Pattanayak lives at Plot No.678, (even by a lot of non Hindus), the land locked in Laxmisagar, Bhubaneswar.

48 Orissa Review * February - March - 2009

Crafts and Industries in Parlakhemundi Zamindari, Some Reflections

Dr. N.P. Panigrahi

Crafts and industries were a main feature of the The artisan - based industries of this district were economic life of the people of Paralakhemundi divided into the village and cottage industries, and Zamindari since very early times. Although handicrafts including modern crafts. Some of the agriculture formed the main feature of the village and cottage industries were black smithy, economic life of the people, yet there existed carpentry, pottery, leather tanning and production several crafts and industries in Paralakhemundi of leather goods, cane and bamboo products, bidi and it's surrounding areas during the rule of Sri making, preparation of gur and making fibre ropes , the king of of all kinds. The handicrafts included grass and Paralakhemundi. A considerable portion of fibre products, palm-leaf, terracotta, filigree and population of this region earned their livelihood jewellery works appliqué works etc.2 working as manufacturers of various agricultural Textile Industry and non-agricultural products. Among the cottage industries, weaving The old-time crafts and industries of this occupied a prominent place. It was an age-old area included stone dressing and stone masonry, cottage industry of the Paralakhemundi zamindari. making of sculptures and relief and in round, wood Weaving was practiced at all levels in the society. carving, paintings, preparing textile goods, horn It flourished even in the tribal tracts of this area. works, bamboo works, ivory works, jewellery 1 However, they chiefly catered to the needs of the etc. tribal population of the adjoining areas. The rural The chief cottage industries of artisans of Ramgiri area, Tanti Kuli and some of Paralakhemundi zamindari were handloom the castes belonging to Telugu community namely, weaving of both cotton and silk, hand-spinning, Selia, Patsalia and Debangulu were engaged in dying, metal works like brass pot making, furniture this industry.3 All of them were accustomed to making, carpentry, smithy, coir industry, doll plain weaving inherited from their forefathers. They making, manufacture of combs and boxes, were weaving in throw shuttle looms with a caskets and other fancy articles out of horn and meager production capacity of 2 to 3 yards of baskets, brief bags, fans, etc. out of both bamboo cloth per day. Hand-spinning was carried on in and reeds. Bee-keeping, oil processing, leather Boirani, Chatrapur, Sompeta, Ampolu, fibre, and processing of cereals and pulses were Singupuram, Kistnayyapeta, Narasannapeta etc. other important cottage industries of this region. The class of people engaged in the industry being

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Charks, Velamas, Pattusalais, Kodvras, Rongims finished with gold thread. The common and Darais. It is believed that Parala Maharaj Paralakhemundi muslin was very popular in the brought some of these workers to here and country as far south as Masulipatam.8 4 engaged them in this work. Handloom weaving Stone Work was chiefly carried not only at Paralakhemundi, but also at Chicacole, Ichapuram, Chatrapur and From the exquisite memorials still remaining, Berhampur.5 In Paralakhemundi, a Patnaik family such as the temples and the stone images, was weaving Chapus. Shirting Cloths, Coating sculptures found in Paralakhemundi zamindari, it Cloths, towels, mufflers, bed sheets, turban cloths can be said without doubt that stone work must newars, etc.6, on two looms, on a fly shuttle pit have been continued even during the rule of Parala loom and the other a frame loom. Yarn of counts Maharaja. The art of making statues and other ranging from 6s to 40s was generally used; 6s items made of stone dressing and stone masonry yarn was mostly used for newar and peon's making of sculptures and carving of decorative bedges winding was done here on tin bobbins, figures were the old industries of this region. while warping was done on the peg board. Wheat Granite rocks were available in plenty in this region. paste was used for sizing. Weaving was not the These rocks were used for the manufacture of sole occupation of this family. They also followed various articles like Ghuruma, Rubuna, Sila, other crafts such as book binding, rolling, Pathurithalia, etc. Rocks were also used for the numbering, painting monograms, etc. They manufacture of culinary vessels, idols and the purchased yarn, turned out cloths of various sculptured slabs which decorated the temple and patterns and sold it in retail to students, local finer edifices.9 people etc. Often Rs.50 worth of cloth was taken Pottery to Berhampur and sold there. On an average, they Pottery manufacture was one of the most turned out about Rs.200 of cloth in a month. One important industries of this zamindari. The Potters coarse cloth 18 cubits by 36 inches (made into of different types and varieties such as cooking three cloths) was made on one warp 18 cubits pots, water vessels, cups, bowls, saucers, toys, long. vases, lamps of various designs and sizes were Rs. A. P. commonly used here. Professional class called Cost of Yarn 1 12 0 Kumbharas manufactured the earthen things and Winding 0 2 0 earned their means of sustenance. Warping 0 2 0 Iron Work Sizing 0 8 0 Iron industry was one of the well developed The cloth was sold for Rs.3-8-0. The gain industries of this zamindari and its surrounding was therefore Re.1 and the daily earning of a areas. Many people earned their livelihood weaver was 8 annas. The cloths were sold in working in the smelting of iron and reparation of weekly markets.7 different iron tools for various purposes such as The manufacture of muslin with variegated spade, axe, crowbar, hinges bolts, spades, silk borders took place in the Paralakhemundi plough-shares.10 These iron tools were zamindari which had a great demand amongst the manufactured at various Kamarsala of this Hindus. Many of them were, very handsomely, zamindari by Komaras and Lohars.

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Brass Work products of cottage industry. In the early part of Brass and bell metal based industries 20th century Mr. K. Apparao Chetti of 'Home flourished in the Paralakhemundi zamindari. In Stores' Paralakhemundi, was the only Sowcar 13 1920s it was noticed that five families of who financed this industry. All fancy horn articles Viswabrahmanas of Udayapuram consisting of were made to his order. He had financed the ten people and few families of Bellaguntha of workers to the extent of about Rs.1,500. Buffalo Ganjam were brought here and engaged them in horns require for preparing these articles were the manufacture of brass, bronze wares. The purchased by these workers at Rs.4 to Rs.8 a utensils like small water jars, pitchers, chembus mound from local Muhammadans who dealt in and tappelas were manufactured. These workers skins and horns. The average annual out turn in were also preparing the vessels for the sowcars the early part of 20th century was about Rs.3,000 of Patrapuram, Surangi, Tekkali and Palasa.11 worth of articles if the demand was good and the supply of raw material was uniform and sufficient. Ivory Work But in 1930, about Rs.1,500 worth of horn The manufacture of ivory articles was products were exported from Paralakhemundi to another important cottage industry of Tanjore, Coimbatore, Trichinopoly, Madura and Paralakhemundi zamindari. Luxury articles Madras by Mr. K. Apparao Chetti.14 Solid seemed to be manufactured from ivory or models were generally purchased by Europeans hastidanta for the wealthier people. Ivory was and wealthy Indians. The horn articles prepared sawn up into very thin plates which were carefully by these workmen were undoubtedly artistic and seasoned and pressed that they might not curve, exquisite workmanship. and were finally polished. The painting when The horn works of Paralakhemundi got a finished was protected by a very thick but clear special place amongst the works of Calcutta, glass, smoothed off at the edges like a pebble. Punjab, Kakinada and Trivendrum. In the later The artisans of Paralakhemundi zamindari were part of the 19th century, this horn industry was famous for ivory work. They used to make given a big boost when the ruler of beautiful Jewellery and ornamental works out of Paralakhemundi engaged some skilled craftsmen the bone and teeth of the elephants found in plenty of Badhri caste from a village known as Pitala in the jungles of the zamindari.12 near Asika.15 During the second world war, horn Horn Work ware of Paralakhemundi was exported to the United States of America and European Horn work was originally well known Countries.16 The finest horn products were being among the tribals of Paralakhemundi zamindari. exported to the places like Vizzanagaram, In Paralakhemundi fifteen families of Maharanas Kakinada and Rajahmundry.17 consisting of about twenty women prepared different varieties of horn combs, horn fancy Doll Making and Painting articles, such as models of birds, animals, caskets, In the beginning of 20th century there were boxes, snuff boxes, tea trays, walking sticks, etc. in Paralakhemundi 16 families of Oriyas called Ornamental effect was given on combs with a 'Chitrakaras', who manufactured dolls with lighter mixture of quick silver and tin. The horn work of varieties of wood, pith, stone and earth and also Paralakhemundi were one of the important did painting work. They were also skilled in casting

51 Orissa Review * February - March - 2009 idols with brass, bell metal and copper. Stone References : and metal vigrahms for temples were only 1. N.C. Behuria, Orissa District Gazetteers, Ganjam, prepared to order and such orders were, Bhubaneswar, 1995, P.330. however, very rare. Ordinarily 'Ganjupa' sets 2. Ibid., P.343. (Dasavataram Playing Cards) and a kind of 3. Ibid. P.344. painted circular playing cards used in these parts 4. Anonymous, Preliminary Report on the survey of by Oriyas were prepared for the market. Cottage Industries in the Ganjam District, 1982, P.1. Dolls (chuman, animal, bird etc) of earth, (M.R - 4/B.no.6/A, 6/83) Collectorate Library, Koraput District. cowdung and pith were made for sale in fairs and festivals.18 The woods used for preparing dolls 5. Ibid., P.4. were Gunnadi, Baditha and Burja which were 6. Ibid., PP.6.9. locally available. Pith was brought by Bakities 7. Ibid., P.5. from whom it was purchased by the Chitrakaras 8. R.C. Misro and S.K. Das, "Few Aspects of Economic at Re.1. a Kavadi or two head loads. Large Life in Paralakhemundi Zamindari During the British number of Ganjupa sets were sent to Godavari Period", in : the Journal of Historical and Social Analysis, Vol.X. nos. 18 & 19, Jan. Dec., 1997, P.17. and Krishna districts and much were sold away in the Ganjam District.19 9. Cf. R. Tripathy, "Craft and Commerce in Orissa in the 16th and 17th centuries", Delhi, 1986, P.56. Basket Making 10. A. Hamilton, "A New Account of the East Indies In Paralakhemundi zamindari during the being observations and Remarks of Captain Alexander Hamilton", Vol-III, Edited by Sri. W. early period of 20th century there were about 25 Foster, London, 1930, PP. 209-217. families of Mediris consisting of about 50 workers 11. Preliminary Report on the survey of cottage who prepared about 30 kinds of articles including industries in the Ganjam District 1928, PP. 13 -14. fancy baskets, brief bags. fans, caps, flower vases, 12. Ibid., P.17. trays, ornamental mats of various colours from a kind of reed which grew in swamps and hill tracts 13. Ibid. in the Paralakhemundi zamindari.20 Mr. K. 14. Ibid. Apparao Chetti of the "Home Stores" 15. N.C. Behuria, Op.cit., PP- 346-347 Paralakhemundi took brief bags and coloured 16. Ibid. baskets worth about Rs.600 to Rs.700 and 17. R.C. Misro and S.K. Dash, op. cit., pp. 346-347. exported them to Rajahmundry, Kakinada, 18. Preliminary Report on the survey of Cottage Bezwada and Vizagapatnam.21 Bamboo works Industries in the Ganjam District, 1928, P.20. and mat making were also important crafts of 19. Ibid. Paralakhemundi. A very excellent rush and grass 20. Ibid., P.21. mats suitable for floors were made here which 21. Ibid. were much more effective than bamboo.22 22. H.D. Taylor, Memoir on the Ganjam Maliahs in the Thus, while summarizing the above Madras Presidency, Cuttack, 1969.P.9. discussion, it can be said that the crafts, industries formed one of the important aspects of the economic activities of the people of Dr. N.P. Panigrahi is a Lecturer in History, M.K. Degree Paralakhemundi zamindari. College, Gurandi (Gajapati).

52 Orissa Review * February - March - 2009

House Sparrow (Passer Domesticus) : The Endangered Bird

Dina Krishna Joshi

The House Sparrow is native to all the Indian States. A non-migratory species, House Sparrows are closely tied to human activity. This sparrow is usually absent from extensive woodlands and forests and from grasslands and deserts. In the far northern parts of its range and in arid regions. House Sparrows are typically present only in the vicinity of human habitation. In other females. Holes are preferred as nest sites, agricultural areas, an average of 60 percent of its but nooks and crannies in outbuildings and open food comes from livestock feed, 36 percent from sites in trees and shrubbery are also used. The weed seeds, and 4 percent from insects. In urban young form flocks soon after fledging, and most areas, bird feeders provide more food for House disperse from the natal colony. Large post Sparrows. breeding flocks roost in trees or brush near grain The number of House Sparrows according fields in agricultural areas or in cities, from which to Bird Survey data indicates that the population they fly to feeding areas. After arriving at the is declining. Changes in agricultural practices, in congregation site, the birds often engage in particular the shift to monoculture crop planting communal singing for up to an hour. have been suggested as the cause. Nomenclature & Taxonomy The song of the House Sparrow consists Passer domesticus commonly known as of cheep or chirrup notes repeated over and over. House Sparrow is a common bird. Passer The birds sing year-round, although less frequently in August and on cold and rainy days. Both sexes domesticus belongs to - cheep, the females most frequently when they are Phylum - Chordata without a mate. Most vocalizations are associated Sub-phylum - Vertebrata with the nest site. Although House Sparrows are Class - Aves quite gregarious and nest in looseknit colonies, Order - Passeriformes they defend a small territory immediately Genus - Passer surrounding the nest. Males defend these Species - Domesticus territories from other males, and females from Common name - House Sparrow

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Description uninhabited woodlands, deserts, forests, and House Sparrow is a small song bird, males grasslands. and females can be differentiated distinctly; the Reproduction male have black throat white cheeks and black House Sparrows form monogamous pairs Bib while the female have brown colour with for each breeding season. Nests are built between eyestripe. The average size is 14-16 cms. and February and May. Nests are built from dried weight is nearly 26-32 grams. It is a small bird vegetation, feathers, strings and paper. Eggs are and beak is thick. Legs short. Chest unstreaked. layed at any time in the nesting period. One to Dust-bathing in new seedbeds has been a eight eggs can be present in a clutch, with the common characteristic of this bird. House possibility of four clutches per nesting season. sparrows have always prefer to stay near human Incubation begins after all the eggs have been populations. They prefer to make nests in small layed. Both males and females incubate the eggs holes in buildings, thatched roofs and even street for short periods of a few minutes each. lamps. The combined chirping of the occupants Incubation lasts for 10 to 14 days. After the eggs is very familiar. Another house sparrow feature is are hatched, both males and females feed the departure to the cornfields during August. young. Status Lifespan - 13 years The House sparrow has undergone a Behaviour drastic decline in the last 25 years. It is included in the red list that means high conservation House Sparrows tend to forage for food concern. The present decline in house sparrow on the ground, using a hopping movement when numbers appears to be widespread all over the not in flight. Their flight is direct, with continued world. Many reasons have been suggested flapping and no periods of gliding. House including the widespread use of garden pesticides Sparrows aggressively protect a small territory resulting in an absence of insects needed by just around their nesting site. This is believed to newborn sparrows. be strictly a protection of the nest site, and not of any feeding areas. Sparrows have been observed Geographic Range to threaten, and if necessary, attack 70 species The House Sparrow is distributed of birds that have come into their nesting territory. worldwide (excluding the Poles). It is native to These attacks seem to be intrasexual, males attack Eurasia and North Africa. It was introduced into males and females attack only females. House S. Africa, South America, Australia, Newzealand, Sparrows occur in and around human habitation, and America. Its introduction into North America as well as cultivated areas and some wooded occurred in 1851, when a group of 100 birds country. They usually stay in the same region all from England was released in Brooklyn, round, but may be partially migratory in some York. areas. Habitat Communication and Perception House Sparrows like areas that have been House Sparrows use a set of postures and modified by humans, including farms, residential behaviours to communicate with others of their and urban areas. They are absent from species. House Sparrows also have a set of

54 Orissa Review * February - March - 2009 vocalizations that are used to attract mates, deter house sparrows eat insects from our kitchen intruders and warn others. garden and by this our garden become free from Food Habits harmful insects. There is no need of using pesticides and insecticides. On the other hand House Sparrows eat various kinds of seed while making nests they use our garbage such as supplemented by some insects. Rural birds tend features, strings, papers, cotton pieces, etc. In to eat more waste seed from animal dung and this way Passer domesticus is a friend to human seed from fields, while urban birds tend to eat beings. more commercial birdseed and weed seed. It is seen that house sparrow eat 60% livestock feed Conservation Status (corn, wheat, oats, etc.), 18% cereals (grains from It is included in the IUCN red list. During storage or from fields), 17 % weed seed, and last 25 years its population has remarkably 4% insects. decreased. I am an innocent Bird, save me... Animal Foods : References : Insects, terrestrial non-insect arthropods. Baker, M. 1995. Environmental Component of Plant Foods : Latitudinal Clutch-size Variation in House Sparrows (Passer Domesticus). The Auk 112 (1) : 249-252. Seeds, grains and nuts; fruit. Chapman, F.M. 1966. Hand book of Birds of Eastern Enemy : North America. Dover Publications, Inc. New York. 581 Pp. Hawks, owls, domestic cats, domestic dogs and black rat snakes. Forbush, E.H. 1955. A Natural History of American Birds of Eastern and Central North America, Bramhall House, Ecosystem Roles New York, 554 Pp. House Sparrows are abundant near human lmhof, T.A. 1962. Alabama Birds. State of Alabama, habitations. In these areas they serve as an Department of Conservation, Game and Fish Division, important prey base for birds of prey and they University of Alabama Press. 591 Pp. may have an impact on plant communities because Lowery, G.H., Jr. 1960. Louisiana Birds. Louisiana they consume large quantities of seeds. Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, Louisiana State University Press. 567 Pp. Economic Importance for Humans: Negative Sprunt, A. Jr., and E.B. Chamberlain. 1970. South Carolina Due to its preference for human-modified Bird Life. University of South Carolina Press, Columbia, habitats, the House Sparrow is considered a 655 Pp. nuisance species, a competitor of native birds, "Passer domesticus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. and an agricultural pest. Large aggregations Accessed October 02, 2007 at http:// around buildings produce annoying noise and large animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/ quantities of faces. information/Passer_domesticus.html. Economic Importance for Humans: Positive

The House Sparrow has proven well-suited Dina Krishna Joshi is a Research Scholar, Deptt. of for studies of general biological problems, such History, Sambalpur University, Jyotivihar, Burla. He as evolutionary mechanisms, temperature lives at Gayatrinagar, New Bus Stand, Junagarh, metabolism and pest control. In the chick stage Kalahandi- 766014.

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Balunkesvara Temple at Barala

Dr. Ratnakar Mohapatra

The temple of Balunkesvara is situated at the village of Barala in the Satyabadi Block of Puri district. The temple stands on the right side of a small road, which runs from Suando to the Puri- Bhubaneswar National Highway. The site of the temple is situated at about three km distance from the National Highway on the way towards Suando. The temple is exactly located at the centre of the village and dedicated to Lord Balunkesvara Siva. It is completely a renovated temple. This temple consists of three structures size and it measures 15 feet on each side. The such as Vimana, Jagamohana and Natamandapa. Bada is Panchanga type i.e. having five fold The temple is built in sandstones, which is locally divisions such as pabhaga, tala jangha, called Kundapatharas and Baulamala patharas. bandhana, upara jangha and baranda. The White wash has been applied to the Vimana, pabhaga of the bada is completely plain. The while the yellow wash is applied on the intervening recesses of both the janghas are filled Jagamohana and Natamandapa respectively. All with erotic scenes and amorous couples. The the structures of the temple are covered with lime baranda of the bada is devoid of decorative plaster. The temple faces to east. A modest ornamentation. attempt has been made in this article to highlight The central niches of the three sides of the the detailed art and architecture of the temple of bada are housed with Parsvadevata images of Balunkesvara. Ganesha, Kartikeya and Parvati. The image of Vimana : Ganesha is the parsvadevata of the southern side. The deity has been installed on the double petalled The Vimana of the temple is a Pancharatha lotus pedestal with usual attributes in his hands. Rekha Deula and its height is about 35 feet from Mouse, the conventional mount of Ganesha is the surface of the temple complex.1 The structure carved on the pedestal of the deity. The image of of the Vimana stands on a low pistha of 1½ feet Kartikeya is the parsvadevata of the western side. high. The Pistha is devoid of decorative It has been installed on the double-petalled lotus ornamentation. The base of the Bada is of square pedestal. Peacock, the conventional mount of

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Kartikeya is found depicted on the right side of of the sanctum are devoid of decorative the deity.The image Kartikeya has four hands. ornamentation. The deity possesses usual attributes in his hands. The sanctum has one doorway towards the Devi Parvati is the parsvadevata of the northern jagamohana. The doorjambs of the sanctum are side. Lion, the mount of Devi Parvati is installed completely undecorated. The bottom parts of the on the separate pedestal, which is noticed in front doorjambs contain figures of Nandi and Bhrungi of the nisha garbhaka or shrine. All the images of who are acting as the door keepers of the temple. Parsvadevatas are depicted with the usual attributes in their respective hands. These side Jagamohana: deities are housed in the nisha shrines of pidha The jagamohana of the temple is a pancharatha order structures. pidha deula and its height is about 28 feet from The gandi of the the surface of the temple vimana is a curvilinear complex. The structure of superstructure and it the jagamohana has been displays five pagas. All the unstructed on the low pistha pagas are completely plain of 1½ feet high. The bada of except gaja-kranta motif the jagamohana is (lion on elephant), which has panchanga type i.e. having been projected on the fivefold divisions namely middle portion of the central pabhaga, tala jangha, raha paga on each side. bandhana, upara jangha and Deula Charini figures are baranda. The pabhaga of the finely inserted in the four bada is completely plain. The cardinal directions of the tala jangha portion is beki above rahas. Dopichha decorated with the khakhara lions have also been mundis. The bandhana of the projected on the top of the bada consists of three kanika pagas of the gandi. horizontal mouldings, which The entire gandi is are joined by a vertical band completely covered with at the centre of each paga. lime plaster. The upara jangha portion of The mastaka of the the bada is decorated with vimana consists of usual elements of the rekha pidha mundis. The baranda deula such as beki amalakasila, khapuri, kalasa, of the bada is plain except an amorous couple ayudha (trident) and dhvaja. depicted at the southern side. The sanctum preserves the Sivalinga within The bada of the jagamohana is surmounted Saktipitha as the presiding deity of the temple. by the pyramidal superstructure. The gandi or The floor of the sanctum is about 10 feet below sikhara consists of two potalas; the lower and the surface of the temple complex. The masonry upper, which contain four and three pidhas steps of descending order are provided for respectively. The different types of tankus are approach towards the sanctum. The inner walls decorated in all sides of the pidhas. At the centre

57 Orissa Review * February - March - 2009 of upper pidha of the each potala is decorated surface of the temple complex. It is erected on with the pidha mastaka design. The recess or the pistha of 2 feet high. The bada of the kanthi portion between the two potalas is filled natamandapa is panchanga type i.e. having fivefold with the figures of different deities of both the divisions viz; pabhaga, talajangha, bandhana, Saivite and Vaishnavite faiths. The female figures upara jangha and baranda. The pabhaga of the holding tridents in their hands are inserted in the bada is completely plain. The talajangha niches four cardinal directions of the beki above rahas. are decorated with khakhara mundis and the The dopichha lions are projected on the top of intervening recesses of the talajangha are relieved the kanika pagas of the gandi. with amorous couples, alasakanyas, erotic scenes, etc. The bandhana of the bada consists of three The mastaka of the jagamohana consists horizontal mouldings, which is joined by a vertical of beki, ghanta (bell shaped member) above which band at the centre of each paga. The upara jangha there is another beki, amalakasila, khapuri, kalasa, is decorated with pidha mundis. Some decorative ayudha (trident) and dhvaja. figures are finely projected on the lotus shaped The jagamohana has two doorways one pedestal inserted in the baranda portion of the on the south towards the outer side and another bada. They are dancing female figures; female towards the natamandapa. The bottom portions figures holding musical instruments like Veena, of the doorframes of the southern doorway female figure beating Mrudanga, amorous couples, contain two pidha mundis; one on each side. The nude male figures etc. The heads of these figures figure of standing Ganesha is housed in the pidha are touching the eave of the lower pidha of the mundi niche. The bottom portion of the doorframe gandi and their legs are firmly installed on the lotus is carved with five decorative mouldings such as shaped pedestals, which are finely inserted in the khura, kumbha, patta, kani and basanta. All these baranda. All these figures are depicted in bending mouldings have multi-facets, which appear circular (dancing) posture in all sides and they are facing in shape. The Gaja-Lakshmi image is carved on towards the frontal side. the centre of the door lintel. The Navagrahas are The bada of the natamandapa is also carved on the architrave above the door lintel. surmounted by the pyramidal superstructure. The The designs of all the nine planets are not clearly gandi has not full fledged elements of Orissan pidha visible because thick yellow wash has been deula. It consists of four flat shaped pidhas. Each applied on it. The eastern side door towards the pidha of the gandi is decorated with the tankus in natamandapa is plain. The inner walls of the all sides. The upper pidha of the gandi is decorated jagamohana are also devoid of decorative with serrated battlements. There is no element of ornamentation. mastaka found from the top of the upara pidha of the gandi. Two recumbent bulls have been installed on their respective pedestals of 2 feet high. They The inner walls of the natamandapa are are noticed from the western side inner floor of decorated with some figures of deities. The the jagamohana. western inner wall of the natamandapa contains figure of a Risi and Siva-Sankara. The figure Siva- Natamandapa : Sankara who is holding trident in right hand and The natamandpa of the temple is a pidha the left hand lies on the battle-axe. The northern deula and its height is about 20 feet from the inner wall is depicted with the scene of Jalandhara

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Badha by Siva. In another side of the northern the temple complex. They are Somanatha- wall contains figure of Parvati who is holding Mahadeva, Jaina Tirthankara (Rishavanatha), Ganesha on one of her laps and here Devi is in Surya Devata, Badrinatha, Varaha , Lakshmi, seated posture. Bull, the conventional mount of Sarasvati, Varaha, Trivikrama, Narasimha and Siva has been installed on the top of the pillar, Parsurama. Out of these, some deities are being which is noticed at the centre of the natamandapa. worshipped in the small shrines and rests are being This pillar is circular in section and its height is worshipped in open air. about 4 feet from the floor of the natamandapa. Most of the minor shrines of the temple The natamandapa has one doorway complex are built in a later period and some are towards the eastern side. The doorframes of the also constructed in the contemporary to the main eastern doorway are completely undecorated. deula of the temple. The bottom part of the doorjamb is decorated Boundary Wall : with an elongated khakhara mundi on each side. The river goddesses Ganga and Yamuna with their There is a boundary wall encircling the respective mounts are housed in the khakhara whole temple complex. This wall is built in burnt mundi and flanked on either side of the doorway bricks and its height is about eight feet from the of the natamandapa. There is no Gaja-Lakshmi surface of the road. The temple complex has two image found on the door lintel. The Navagraha entrance porches; one on the southern side and figures are also absent on the architrave above another on the east. the door lintel. Entrance Porches: Minor Shrines in the Temple Complex: The entrance porch of the southern side is Besides these three structures, there are a pidha structure and its height is about 25 feet other small shrines also erected within the temple from the surface of the temple complex. The bada complex of Balunkesvara. Some minor shrines of the porch (hall) is plain. The gandi of the porch are found on the western side; enshrining Durga, is a pyramidal superstructure. It consists of two Mahavira (Hanumana), Savitri- Satyabana (Sapta potalas; the lower and upper, which contain four Matrikas are also worshipped there), images of and three pidhas respectively. Deula Charini Chandra- Sekhara and Gauri Devi etc. Some figures are inserted in the four cardinal directions deities are also worshipped in the northern side of the beki above rahas. Dopichha lions have been of the temple complex. They are Siva in tandava projected on the top of the kanika pagas of the nritya pose, Radha-Krishna image, Devi gandi. The mastaka of the southern side entrance Annapurna, Hara-Chandi, Ardhanarisvara, porch consists of usual elements of the Orissan Varahi, Jaina-Tirthankara (Rishabhanatha) and pidha deula. The doorjambs of the southern side Nagamata. The eastern side of the temple complex gate are completely plain. is also occupied by some deities. They are Maa The main entrance porch of the eastern side Sitala Devi with Sasti Devi and Vidhata Purusa, is also a pidha structure and its height is about 35 Bedha-Kartikesvara, Rama-Kapilesvara, feet from the surface of the road. The bada of the Dakshinakali, Lokanatha, etc. The foot print of entrance porch is panchanga type i.e. having Rama Chandra is being worshipped in front of fivefold divisions viz; pabhaga, talajangha, the main deula. Other deities are also worshipped bandhana, upara jangha and baranda. All the in separate small shrines in the southern side of component parts of the bada are devoid of

59 Orissa Review * February - March - 2009 decorative ornamentations. The bada of the who built it. This temple is not very old like Puri entrance hall is surmounted by the pyramidal Jagannatha temple. According to public opinion superstructure. It consists of two potalas; the the present temple is not older than 4 hundred lower and upper, which contain four and three years. Dr. B.K.Ratha thinks that the temple pidhas respectively. The intervening recess or belongs to the 17th century A.D.2 On the basis kanthi of the two potalas is filled with many crude of the architectural pattern, the construction period sculptures of different deities. The central portion of the Balunkesvara temple can be tentatively of the upper pidha of each potala is projected assigned to the 2nd half of the 17th century A.D. with the Udyatasimha in all sides. Dopicha lions It was possibly built by the king of Puri. have been projected on the top of the kanika pagas of the gandi. Now the temple of Barala-Balunkesvara is being managed by a Trust Board under the The mastaka of the entrance porch consists Endowment Commissioner of the Government of of beki, ghanta (bell - shaped member), above Orissa. which there is another beki , amalakasila, khapuri, kalasa and ayudha (chakra). Thus, it is known from the above discussion that the temple of Balunkesvara is not so The doorjambs of the eastern side entrance important like other notable temples of Orissa on porch are undecorated. Two watchmen are stylistic ground. Although the architectural features depicted on the upper part of the doorjamb wall. of the temple have no significance but the temple The doorway lintel is completely plain. The figures complex has preserved a good number of ancient of Krishna with Asta-gopis are finely depicted images as a treasure house of antiquities. Most of on the architrave above the door lintel. Four Gopi figures are flanked on either side of Krishna who the images found in the temple complex were is depicted at the centre of the architrave possibly made before the construction of the main deula. The present temple is built in the later The inner wall of the main entrance porch medieval period but the available images inside contains a huge figure of Mahavira(Hanumana) the temple complex indicate that it is an old shrine who is standing on the side of Makaradhvaja of that area. Images of various deities of the earlier figure. Two small pidha shrines are built in both period are found to be worshipped inside the sides of the entrance porch. Two huge lion figures temple complex. are projected in seated posture with three legs on the pedestal and one front leg is raised towards References: the visitors. They are acting as the gatekeepers 1. B.K. Ratha (ed.), The Forgotten Monuments of of the eastern side entrance porch. Orissa, Vol.3, New Delhi, 1990, p.245. There is a bull pillar in front of the eastern 2. Ibid. side gateway (porch) and its height is about 20 feet from the surface of the road. The base of the pillar is encircled with a circular plinth of 2 feet high. There is a small recumbent bull installed on the top of the pillar. Date of the Temple: Dr. Ratnakar Mohapatra is an ICHR Post-Doctoral There is no authentic evidence regarding Research Fellow, P.G.Department of History, the exact date of construction of the temple and Sambalpur University, Jyotivihar, Sambalpur.

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Technological Changes in Libraries

Rabindra Kumar Behuria

Libraries are in the midst of a period of radical every eleven hours. The amount of materials change, precipitated in large part by rapid and published is now increasing at 2.5 percent each penetrating advances in automation. Cline and year and libraries are losing ground in the Sinnott describe the consequences of these proportion of new information they are able to technological changes in their book i.e. "The purchase. Studies indicate that the size of research Electronic Library." They state that "libraries are library collections now tends to double every 16 being pummelled by profound and undoubtedly to 20 years. Libraries are turning to new permanent changes. For example, the distinction technologies as a mechanism for responding to between public and technical services appears to these concerns. be eroding; communications within the library and A second significant factor effecting outside organisations are taking a new dimension; libraries is escalating costs. While library and new demands are being placed on collections have expanded, library costs have also professional staff. These shifts and turns, risen. moreover, are not one-time modifications to which libraries subsequently adjust, quickly rebounding New technological developments have to status quo. Rather automation apparently already profoundly effected libraries. Almost introduces continuous change." every function carried out in a library has been altered to some extent by advances in electronics, Libraries currently are experiencing computerisation and telecommunications. The technological changes in how services are manner in which libraries process, store, and provided and in what these services are. These retrieve information is changing, as is the changes can be attributed to three major information medium itself. The technological phenomena; the information explosion, escalating revolution in libraries has been called a "quiet library costs, and the "technology revolution". The revolution". According to Becker, it is quiet latter is of particular interest to use here. because the signs of change are subtle and not The information explosion describes the always evident; it is a revoloution because the new consequences of an exponential growth in technology will most surely effect all libraries. information. One researcher reports that the To-day's libraries are in transition from manual knowledge base doubled between 1980 and to electronic systems. Databases are replacing 1988 and within fifteen years will be doubling card catalogs and printed indexes and abstracts.

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Information is being produced and stored in new loan has improved through participation in national forms. The merger of computers and printing is bibliographic utility networks which enhance fill leading to a new method of information transfer. rate and timeliness. Libraries are no longer self-sufficient but are linked Many other new technologies are being through electronic networks of various types. implemented in libraries. Electronic alarm devices New technologies offer viable alternatives for prevent theft. Photocopy machines have changed dealing with the information explosion and library user's note taking patterns in less than a escalating costs. In the words of Pat Battin generation. The rapid increasing use of micro- libraries are being "reinvented in the electronic computers portends even greater changes for environment." libraries. These machines are now being Changing Processes and Services successfully used for card production, circulation, Computers were seen as a practical serials, check-in-acquisitions, local data-bases, alternative for managing and proliferating library expert systems and other library activities. Micro- collections and increasing service demands. The computers are improving office productivity and paper-based system in use at the time had reached the analysis of management statistics. Some and often exceeded the limits of their effectiveness. libraries have micro-computers and software The National Library of Medicine, the American available to patrons for use in and out of the Library of Congress, the University of California building. at San Diego and Southern Illinois University were Changing Collections and the Electronic early leaders in Library Automation. The MARC Library : (Machine Readable Cataloguing) System began in 1965 at the Library of Congress. MARC was A number of writers have used the term developed to define a standard format for "Electronic Library" to describe the changes machine readable catalog records that could be libraries are experiencing as a result of new used interchangeably on different types of technologies. As the volume of information grows computers across the country. and the technical means of transmitting it changes, libraries are expanding their traditional role to Establishment of nationally shared survive and even flourish in an electronic age. computerized library networks such as OCLC (Ohio College Library Centre), RLIN (Research Brisco feels that the shift in publishing from Libraries Information Network) WLN print to electronic media is due to (1) rising costs (Washington Library Network / Western Library of book and journal manufacturing; (2) need to Network) and UTLAS (University of Toronto decrease the time required for publishing; (3) need Library Automation Systems) have permitted to control and provide access to ever increasing libraries to use machine readable cataloguing done amounts of data and information; and by other libraries, as well to submit their own (4) recognition of some unique and special cataloguing to the networks. The development of attributes of electronic media (e.g. interaction on-line public access catalogues (OPACs) either between the user and the information system; as part of an integrated system or as a separate Boolean search logic, continuous updating and application enables library users to obtain exceptional graphic displays including bibliographic information without resorting to time- superimpositions movement, 3-dimensional consuming manual card catalogues. Inter-library rotation and variable colours)."

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Lancaster foresees a paperless society by the information explosion. Bibliographic utilities the year 2010 and says that whether we like it or facilitate these efforts through shared holding not, print on paper will give way to electronics. information and automated inter-library loan He regards databases, available only in machine systems to speed resource sharing. readable form, as electronic reference books. A number of machine readable Several on-line journals are already bibliographic tools are becoming available to available in EIES (Electronic Information libraries for use in selection of recently published Exchange System). ADONIS (Artice Delivery and retrospective titles. This increased use of Online Information System), a system to deliver machine - readable information to select new titles full text journal articles on demand, has been can eliminate much duplication of effort that exists developed by several European publishers. Other in manual systems. new technologies already in use include video and There is no doubt that the libraries are optical digit disks, videotext systems and digital changing and these changes are escalating. telefacsmile equipment. All such innovations Librarians who recognise the shifting paradigm permit the user to identify and locate information. are in a position to actively reinvent the library Impact of New Technologies on Technical and reform the organisation. New strategies must Services : be developed if libraries are to be reformed to The two technological developments which meet the challenges facing them during the rest of seem to have had the widest impact to date on this century. Many questions remain unanswered. technical services in libraries are the growth and the ARI, study on automation and reorganisation development of bibliographic utilities and the more stresses the need for more information with recent development of integrated automated local respect to how changes come about, who is systems. Bibliographic utilities have prospered in involved in decision making, how better use can large part because of the role they play in be made to determine the success of cataloguing. Automation, in the form of reorganisation. Answering these type of questions bibliographic utilities and MARC format, has will better prepare librarians to creatively and revolutionised the practice of cataloguing. actively participate in shaping the future of libraries. Technological change is inevitable; the Collection Development may be treated as future of libraries is open-ended. part of technical services. It may be carried out within the acquisition department or in a separate Reference : unit. Regardless of the organisational arrangement, 1. Prakash, C (ed). Technical Changes in Libraries librarians who select materials for the collection : New Techniques and Developments in LIS, use a variety of bibliographic tools. Automation Jaipur, MDP, 1996, p.1-21. has made available many of these tools in machine readable format and offered new ways of monitoring collection development and management activities.

Cooperative collection development and Rabindra Kumar Behuria is a Lecturer in the Department management have become increasingly important of Library and Information Science, Chandbali College, in libraries due to tight budgets, rising prices and Chandbali, Bhadrak-766133

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STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP AND OTHER PARTICULARS ABOUT ORISSA REVIEW FORM-IV (See Rule -8 )

1. Place of publication : Bhubaneswar 2. Periodicity of its publication : Monthly 3. Printer’s Name : Shri V. Tyagrajan, IPS for and on behalf of Government of Orissa. Nationality : Indian Address : Director, Printing, Stationery and Publication, Orissa, Madhupatana, Cuttack -753010. 4. Publisher’s Name : Shri B.P. Mohanty Director lnformation and Public Relations Department, Bhubaneswar-1. 5. Editor’s Name : Shri Sasanka Sekhar Panda Nationality : Indian Address : Editor, Orissa Review Information and Public Relations Department, Government of Orissa, Bhubaneswar. Name & Address of Individuals who own newspaper and partners or, shareholders holding more than one percent of the total capital. : Government of Orissa, Bhubaneswar

I, Shri B.P. Mohanty, Director, Information & Public Relations Department, Bhubaneswar, do hereby declare that the particulars given above are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Sd/- B.P. Mohanty Signature of Publisher

64 ORISSA REVIEW

VOL. LXV NO. 7 & 8 FEBRUARY - MARCH - 2009

PRADIPTA KUMAR MOHAPATRA, I.A.S. Commissioner-cum-Secretary

BAISHNAB PRASAD MOHANTY Director-cum-Joint Secretary

SASANKA SEKHAR PANDA Joint Director-cum-Deputy Secretary Editor

BIBEKANANDA BISWAL Associate Editor

Editorial Assistance Bibhu Chandra Mishra Debasis Pattnaik Sadhana Mishra BikramKalima1.tif Maharana

Manas R. Nayak Cover Design & Illustration

Hemanta Kumar Sahoo Manoj Kumar Patro D.T.P. & Design

Raju Singh Manas Ranjan Mohanty Photo

The Orissa Review aims at disseminating knowledge and information concerning Orissa’s socio-economic development, art and culture. Views, records, statistics and information published in the Orissa Review are not necessarily those of the Government of Orissa. Published by Information & Public Relations Department, Government of Orissa, Bhubaneswar - 751001 and Printed at Orissa Government Press, Cuttack - 753010. For subscription and trade inquiry, please contact : Manager, Publications, Information & Public Relations Department, Loksampark Bhawan, Bhubaneswar - 751001. E-mail : iprsec rediffmail.com Visit : http://orissagov.nic.in Five Rupees / Copy Contact : Ph. 0674-2394839 CONTENTS

The Gajapathi Palace : An Architectural Marvel Gopi Nath Gajapathi ... 1

Madhusmriti - The Abode of Oriya Nationalism Surasinha Patnaik ... 4

Chait Yatra Dr. Chitrasen Pasayat ... 15

The Monsoon Via China Sea B.P. Das ... 17

Workplace Woes Ms. Subhashree Panda ... 20

Hanuman Temple at Jagati Ramesh Meher ... 24

Reiki : A Noble Approach to Alternative Medicine Dr. Parikshita Bindhani ... 26

Cuttack Carrying the Urban Culture of Ganga Orissa Dr. Pramod Kumar Mohanty ... 28

The Evolution of Oriya Alphabet Dr. Harihar Routray ... 40

Bharat Leela or Subhadra Parinaya : A Cultural Extravaganza of Southern Coastal Orissa Dr. Pratap Kumar Dash ... 43

The Holy Land of Hindus - Orissa Pramoda Chandra Pattanayak... 46

Crafts and Industries in Parlakhemundi Zamindari, Some Reflections Dr. N.P. Panigrahi ... 49

House Sparrow (Passer Domesticus) : The Endangered Bird Dina Krishna Joshi ... 53

Balunkesvara Temple at Barala Dr. Ratnakar Mohapatra ... 56

Technological Changes in Libraries Rabindra Kumar Behuria ... 61