Orissa Review

Gangadhar and Balasore, Hiteisini Contemporary Poets (30 May, 1889) from Deogarh. Gangadhar The first Oriya printing The publication of these papers typeset was cast in 1836 by the during the last part of the 19th Meher : A Christian missionaries which century indicated the desire and made a great revolutions in the determination of the people Comparative Oriya literature. Instead of palm of Orissa to uphold the right of leaf inscription. The books freedom of expression and the Figure to were being printed and the freedom of the press with a periodicals and journals were view to ultimately fighting for Sanskrit published. The first Oriya the freedom of the country from Magazine of µBodha Dayini¶ the British rule. But another Literature was published from Balasore in great help these periodical 1861. The main object of this performed was that they magazine was to promote Oriya encouraged the modern literature and to draw attention literature and acted as a media Prof. Raj Kumar Nayak to the lapses in government to provide a wide readers policy. The first Oriya paper, range for the writers. The µThe Utkal Deepika,¶ made its educated intellectuals came in appearance in 1866 under the contact with the English Gangadhar Meher (August editorship of late Gouri Sankar Literature and got influenced. 9, 1862 - April 4, 1924) was Ray with the help of late (1849-1908) is born on the day of Sravana Bichitrananda. The Utkal the prime figure, who tried to Purnima at Barpali, Deepika carried on a vigorous write his poems with the District (undivided Sambalpur campaign for bringing all the influence of Western Literature. District) in a Bhulia weaver Oriya-speaking areas under He wrote Kavyas like family. Though he was one administration, Chandrabhaga, Nandike- educated up to 5th Class, he development of Oriya language shwari, Usha, Mahajatra, has given a new meaning and and literature and protection of Darbar and Chilika. glory to Oriya Language and Oriya interests. In 1869 late Literature. Dr. Mayadhar Bhagavati Charan Das started (1843-1918), the prime figure Mansingh has high esteem for µUtkal Subhakari¶ to propagate of modern Oriya Fiction Prose Gangadhar Meher and in his Brahmo faith. In the last three is the product of that History of Oriya Literature he and half decades of the 19th generation. He was considered has opined ³All told, century a number of the Vyasakabi or founder poet Gangadhar Meher is one of the newspapers were published in of Oriya language. Fakirmohan rarest personalities and poets in Oriya. Prominent among them was born and brought up in the the whole range of Oriya were µUtkal Deepika¶¶Utkal coastal town of Balasore. He Literature´. He is popularly Patra¶, Utkal Hiteisini from grew up to be an administrator known as µSwabhabakabi¶ for Cuttack, Utkal Darpan and in ex-feudatory states. Enraged his excellent poetic character. Sambada Vahika¶ from by the attempts of the Bengalis

30 September - 2010 Orissa Review to marginalize even replace the October Revolution of Russia Singh¶, µPurana Kabi Fakir Oriya language by Bengali, he or much before the emerging of Mohan¶, µSwargiya Kasinath took to creative writing rather Marxist ideas in India. Panda¶, µEha ki Pruthibira late. Though he had translated Gangadhar Meher (1862- Sabda¶, µSikshita, Asikshita o from Sanskrit, wrote poetry, 1924), , Sikshabhimanini¶ etc. and attempted many forms of Chintamani Mahanty, Nanda The popularity of the literature, he is now known Kishore Bal and Gaurisankar literary creation of Gangadhar primarily as the father of Ray are some of eminent Meher are due to narration of modern Oriya prose fiction. If writers and poets of this time. the beauty of the nature just like either Fakirmohan or his Literatures of Poet Kabibara Radhanath Ray. It is progeny had preserved his Gangadhar unique. Gangadhar is widely short story, ³Lachmania´ which known as poet of nature, can he had written in the late 1860s, He has written his be compared with poet Shelly, and which was published in the poetry in such a manner that it Byron and Keats. Gangadhar journal Bodhadayini, edited by attracts and gladdens the hearts was the messenger of Upendra himself in Balasore, of all literature-loving people. Bhanja¶s style and ideals. His Fakirmohan would leave His poetic creations include popularity is not accidental. certainly been credited with µTapasvini¶ , µPranaya Ballari¶, There are many reasons behind having pioneered the genre in µKichaka Badha¶, µIndumati¶ , this. Just like Kabi Samrat India. But as ill-luck would have µUtkala Lakshmi¶, µAyodhya , his poetries it, except for a bare mention in Drushya¶, µKabita Kallola¶, are replete with high ornamental his autobiography, the story µBharati Bhabana¶, µArghya words, unique composition cannot be traced, and thus his Thali¶, µKabita Mala¶, style, using in befitting cases ³Rebati´ (1898) is widely µKrushaka Sangita¶, µKumara simile and metaphor and recognized as the first Oriya Janmotsav¶, µBhakti Upahar¶, appropriate words. His short story. ³Rebati´ is the story µPadmini¶ etc. ³Tapasvini poetries are sonorous of rhythm of a young innocent girl whose Kavya´ is his masterpiece and of words and languages. He is desire for education is placed it has been translated into rated as a great poet in Indian in the context of a conservative English, Hindi and Sanskrit. Literature. Died on April 4, society in a backward Orissa Gangadhar is widely 1924. His poetries can be village, which is hit by the killer known as a Poet of nature divided into lyrics, devotional, epidemic cholera. His other (Prakruti Kabi). He is regarded patriotic, reformative, ethical, stories are ³Patent Medicine´, as a great illustrious poet and agricultural, elegy, and narration ³Dak Munshi´, and ³Adharma maker of for of nature. Bitta´.Other than short stories, his value-based writings on In 1949, Sambalpur Fakir Mohan Senapati is also Indian culture. His poetry can College in Sambalpur, which known for his novel Chha be classified into lyrics, had (opened in 1944) was Maana Atha Guntha. It is the devotional, patriotic, renamed Gangadhar Meher first Indian novel to deal with reformative, ethical, agricultural, College in his honour. Since the exploitations of landless elegy and narration of nature. 1999, the college has been peasants by the feudal lords. It His prose works include µAtma called Gangadhar Meher was written much before the Jeevani¶, µShri Nruparaj College (Autonomous). In

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1992, Sambalpur University appropriate honour and status Musical melody, grace instituted the Gangadhar Meher even after separation from her of diction, serenity, rhythmic National Award for Poetry husband. Tapasvinî mainly eloquence, lucidity with which is conferred annually . treats of the plight of Sîtâ¶s later emotional touch and sweetness Poet Gangadhar Meher is life, yet the entire story of of meaning are the remarkable influenced by Bhavabhuti Râmâyana has been recounted features of this epic poem. contextually. So in this Various figures of speech such In the verses of perspective, this Kâvya may be as alliteration, simile, metaphor, Kâlidâsa, µTapas¶ (penance) is regarded as a µMiniature imagery and the like also find clearly meant for Sîtâ in the Râmâyana¶ in Oriya literature. proper and praiseworthy places later part of her life. Just as Râmâyana is named in this literary work. There Gangâdhara happens to take after King Râma with depiction occurs no verbosity or stiffness the word µTapasvi¶ from of his life-deeds, so in a greater of speech. Predominance of Kâlidâsa and has used it as sense Tapasvinî Kâvya may be meaning and sentiments is µTapasvinî¶ in feminine gender construed as a µSîtâyana¶, as it greatly appreciable. Words of for Sîtâ. Moreover, the poet in prominently features the Gangâdhara are pleasantly the Preface of Tapasvinî kâvya sublime character of Sîtâ in the intelligible and imbued with mentions : ³The main purpose entire story. emotions. So this Kâvya has of this book is to elucidate how become unhesitatingly Sîtâ strengthened and Poetic Style : attractive and appealing... heightened more and more, her Tapasvinî, as the In Classical Sanskrit devotion-to-husband (pati- masterpiece of Gangâdhara bhakti) by deeming exile as her Literature, Bhavabhûti is the Meher, enjoys an outstanding first poet and dramatist who own misfortune and how she as position in the arena of language a µTapasvinî¶ elapsed time by advocated and elucidated the and literature. The desideratum Sentiment of Pathos (Karuna rendering her forest-dwelling of the poet in composing this into penitential austerity Rasa) in a separate style and kâvya was mainly to fill in the presented it as the original beneficial to her husband.´(9) gap of a character of devoted The poet further expresses his source of all sentiments.(14)... chaste wife flourished with Poet Gangâdhara is influenced hope that the wise readers Indian culture, in the domain of would once unveil the by Bhavabhûti. In Tapasvinî, Oriya literature and to establish the excellence of Pathos begins memory¶s curtain portrayed the language of Orissa with its with the brilliant impeccable and from the outset. Though other epical excellence. Befitting the sacred character of Sîtâ of their emotions are accessories in the modern taste, the poet has own hearts and would render middle, sentiment of Pathos is utilized different nine melodious uplift of the hearts of women. prominent. The poet has metres (Chaturdasâkshara, avoided to end the kâvya in a Gangâdhara is very Râmakeri, Bangalâúri, Chokhi, tragic description and made the distinct and doubtless in his Rasakulyâ, Kalahamsa- ending comically happy, writing. Sîtâ is the heroine of this Kedâra, Kedâra-Kâmodî, depicting Sîtâ¶s union with King epic poem that analyses the Nata-Vânî and Kalyâna- Râma even in a dream state. social condition of a married Paditâla), collaborating the old Apropos filial affections of Sîtâ woman and contends to give metres with the modern ones. for her twin sons (Canto-X),

32 September - 2010 Orissa Review also that of Anukampâ and stands in the outer courtyard of ahead to establish one¶s own River Tamasâ (Canto-IV) and the hermitage and in cuckoo¶s goodness and virtues valuable as well as of Godâvarî (Canto- voice speaks to grace her with to others. VIII), Vâtsalya Rasa is Sîtâ¶s benign sight. The retinues References : contextually blended in this of Dame Dawn perform their Kâvya. duties to wake up Sîtâ... 1. http://sambalpur.nic.in/ eminent%20 personalities. Kâlidâsa¶s words are Philosophy of Life : htm# GANGADHAR MEHER Eminent Personalities of mostly indicative or suggestive The ideology of of sentiments, while like Bhavabhûti along with the 2. µMAKERS OF MODERN Bhavabhûti¶s, appropriate naturality of Vâlmîki and ORISSA¶- an article published words of Gangâdhara are Kâlidâsa are intertwined in the in the magazine µOrissa mostly expressive and directly Reference Annual¶ by Govt. poem of Gangâdhara. The of appealing to the hearts of the quintessence of poet¶s 3. http://www.gmcollege.org/ readers. In comparison to other philosophy of life has been link_file/lnk3.htm About sentiments, Pathos directly contextually reflected in Gangadhar Meher College touches the core of heart and Tapasvinî. Forbearance, theistic (Autonomous) Gangâdhara has successfully trend, noble endeavours for the 4. TAPASVINI (Complete Hindi portrayed the sentiment that Version of Oriya Kavya of attainment of goal and high Gangadhar Meher) leaves an ever-lasting aspiration are signified in his Translated by : Dr. impression in the mind... work. He believes in both deed Harekrishna Meher Gangâdhara vividly and and destiny, but never adheres Published by : Sambalpur exhaustively delineates the University, Jyoti Vihar, to pessimism. For instance, life Samalpur, Orissa, 2000. beautiful facets of Nature. With of fortitude, benevolence and 5. TAPASVINI OF his poetic insight, he sees polite activities is indicated in GANGADHARA MEHER human feelings, conscious life Canto-IV... (Complete English Version of and internal beauty in her. Oriya Tapasvini Kavya) Gangâdhara¶s Translated by : Dr. Nature imbibes her comely, Harekrishna Meher. gracious, fierce, tranquil and humanistic approach of reaching the destination through Published by : R. N. auspicious forms in various Bhattacharya, A-217, Road contexts. incessant practice is traced No. 4, HB Town, Sodepur, here. Simplicity, modesty, Kolkata-700110, 2009. Gangâdhara is a prolific purity, harmlessness and noble 6. µKalahandi Renaissance¶ painter of Nature. Depiction of services are the gem-like (Research Journal), Dame Ushâ (Dawn) in Canto- features of his work and life. Vol.-1, 2005, pp. 39-52. Courtesy : Government IV is most popular all over Whatever may be the obstacle, Autonomous College, Orissa. Here Nature honours the poet¶s optimistic insight , Orissa, India . Sîtâ as an esteemed Queen and pervades the realm of life. offers all the royal formalities of ³Simple living and high thinking´ worship. Dawn, the blooming Prof.(Dr.) Raj Kumar Nayak is the is his view-point both literary Principal, Ramanujan College of lotus-eyed lady, cherishing and empirical.In spite of Education, Member Visiting Expert hearty desire to behold Sîtâ and negative attitude of some fault- N.C.T.E. (N.R.C) Inspection Team, bringing presentations of dew- finders in social life, one should Jaipur, Aff.M.D. University pearls in her hands of leafage, patiently and courageously go Rohtak, Haryana.

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