Classical Status to Odia Language Odisha Review Medieval Odia Literature and Bhanja Dynasty Dr. Sarat Chandra Rath Medieval Odia literature is dated between 1650- as the thrill of divine laughter. Swami 1850. Akbar the Mughal emperor conquered Prangyanananda opined in his book ‘Historical Odisha in 1592. The suffering of the people during Development of Indian Music’ that music can be Aurangzeb (1658-1707) was intolerable. The said to be the sweet and soothing sounds that most sensitive issue was the destruction. Common vibrate and create an aesthetic feeling and beauties people were morally depressed, economically of the nature. Also he added ‘Music is recognized ruined and politically disturbed. After 1761, the as the greatest and finest art that brings permanent Bengal Nawabs ruled a portion of Odisha, but peace and solace to the human world’1. The poets the major part passed to the Marathas. Odisha of the medieval age could realize and recognize was occupied by the British in 1803. During this their poetic creation in the same vibrancy. Such period Odisha lost its freedom in the sphere of creation in Odisha carried a specific importance art and culture. At this juncture the Odia literature due to its musical excellency, which was hardly was in trauma. During this period extraordinary found at that time in any other neighbouring poets were Dinakrushna Das, Upendra Bhanja, language literature of Indo-Aryan family such as Bhupati Pandit Lokanath Bidyadhara. However Bengali and Assamese etc. at that time. This in the present context the literary contribution of implied the interest of people in music and song Bhanjasa, Balbhadra, Tribikram, Ghana, Upendra for their common entertainment. It is also is discussed. Although all of them have contributed confessed that song and music of that period was significantly, manuscript records of some poet are the influence of south Indian proficiency on the not available much to focus their creativity. traditional Odia music. Such impact is also continued among the common people of Odisha. Characteristics of Medieval Literature II) Natural beauty Literature of all ages is distinguished by their specific characteristics. Medieval literature Nature is the visible aspect of invisible possesses some remarkable properties such as power. Early man lived in nature and enjoyed musical ability, natural beauty, aesthetics, conjugal nature. He emitted nature by body gesture and love and conversation with Sastras. movement. Over the ages Nature exhibits prominent relevance with literature. It is i) Musical ability equivocally admitted that where there is literature Music has multidimensional definitions. Sri there is Nature. Medieval Odia literature is Aurovindo, the great poet and critic defined music immensely accommodated the Nature. In many March - 2014 25 Odisha Review Classical Status to Odia Language of those themes Nature itself acted as catalyst to royal family. Tribikram Bhanja, another successor express the poet’s view. It is also used as an of that family also reserved his poetic talent in the imagery to magnify the inner feeling of the kavya ‘Kanakalata’ and some popular verses. characters. The romantic as well as tragic act of The present communication throws some the key characters were expressed with symbolic light on the medieval literature with special inclusion of the nature. reference to Dhananjaya Bhanja and Upendra III) Aesthetics Bhanja. Aesthetics has its own precious influence Dhananjaya Bhanja on human life. It is originated from the special Dhananjaya Bhanja born on 1611, consciousness, which values the earthly life. It is adorned the throne on 1636 and passed away as the inseparable element of literature that attracts a king on 1701. During his reign for 65 years he the reader’s attention time and ages. Sometimes proved himself a good ruler as well as a great it takes human thoughts and feelings to certain poet. It is accepted that Dhananjaya Bhanja is sophisticated level of consciousness. As a result the pioneer poet in the medieval Odia literature, one can visualize the eternal beauty through the known as Raj Kabi as he was the king of Kulad window of mortal world. and a poet. His poetic creations are full of a IV) Conjugal love different taste such as musical excellency, word Though not a new phenomenon, conjugal jugglery, adoration of natural beauty. Culture of love has enriched the top-most level in the Odisha is reflected in his literary expression. The mediaeval literature, which made them more social rituals like celebration of marriage popular among common people. The imaginary ceremony, birthday ceremony, and different characters and symbolic characters from different festivals as well as the glory of Lord Jagannath is mythological background were successfully well described by him. He consciously narrated placed in the poetry to describe the romance and the conjugal love (Swakeeya Prema), as it was tragedy. the warrant of that age to create a social awareness against the polygamy. The idealistic approach for V) Conversation with Sastras social discipline is another quality of his personality, A light can lit other lamps. A which is placed in his Kavya ‘Ratnamanjari’ when knowledgeable person can effectively impress the queen has given advices to her daughter at upon the society for its all-round improvement. the eve of marriage depature.3 Out of his Writers of this period gained sufficient knowledge manuscripts some are yet to be published. The from different Sastras viz. Vedas, Upanisadas poetic works of Dhanajaya can be categorized in Ayurved, Jyotirved Dhanurved, Kamsastra, to three major groups viz, Sangitsastra etc. and suitably incorporated in most i) Kavyas, ii) Choupadi and Chautisa of their literary expression. iii) Mangalgeetika. The royal family of Bhanja was patron of art and literature. Balabhadra Bhanja, the king of i) Kavyas: Raghunath Vilasha, Krushna Kulada composed Kavya ‘Bhababati’ which was Krida, Ananga Rekha, Itchabati, Madana unique for its emotional expression. Ghana Manjari, Ratnamanjari, Hanshaduta. Bhanja, one of his successors had two Kavyas ii) Choupadi and Chautisa : to his credit named as ‘Trailoka Mohini’ and Chaupadibhusan, Maruta Chautisha, Pandita ‘Rasanidhi’ which were imaginary mimic of the Bodha Choutisha, Bangalashree Choutisha, 26 March- 2014 Classical Status to Odia Language Odisha Review Anuchinta Choutisha, Unhu Choutisha, ceremony, mostly Mangalagitikas of Dhananjaya Kelikalpadruma Choutisha. are composed with the description of marriage 6 iii) Mangalgeetika. events of Ramachandra, Balaram, and also Sita. In Raghunath Vilash, Lord Ramachandra Upendra Bhanja is described as the avatary (source of Upendra Bhanja has made significant incarnations) and Lord Jaganath is treated, as the contribution to enrich Odia literature. He is a Avatar. This ornate Kavya is unique for its preconscious poet having extra ordinary creative devotional descriptions. The conjugal love of Lord sensibility. He has left an ever lasting impression Ramachandra and Seeta as well as other themes in Odisha’s public life. He is remembered now of Ramayana is focused. Verbal jugglery in and will be remembered by our future generation. medieval literature is initiated by Dhanajaya in this In this context a stanza of Utkal Mani Kavya. Gopabandhu comes to mind : Krishna Krida is nothing but the “Oh Upendra description of Rasaleela of Bhgabata, which The Pandits recite your lines at courts, shows the popularity of the epic Bhagabata during Gay travellers on the road’ those days. The Kavya is limited within only five The peasants in the fields and ladies in the harems, Chhandas where Kalandi is described as the And the courteasans too, while they dance”.7 beautiful woman adorned with ornaments.4 (Translated by Mayadhar Mansinha) The Anangarekha depicts the rural rituals Bhanja had great personal loss when his related to the birth day ceremony and marriage wife passed away in youth. The critics tell that in ceremony. 5 Assimilation of different fragments of her remembrance he has composed many love Hindu religion such as adoration of Ganesh, Siva, lyrics. The nature is symbolically reflected in the Jagannath, and Durga has been congregated in characters of some of the poetry. In Prema this poetry. Sudhanidhi, an unique piece where the enchanting Itchhabati is another conjugal love poetry love letter is a worthy example. Dr. Mayadhar where Sanskrit literature was reflected directly. Mansinha has rightly discussed the subject as Other poetries are also monotonous with little ‘There are few educated Odias to whom at least changes in characters. the first few stanzas of this beautiful love lyric in Sankarabharana meter do not occur The Kavya Hansaduta is known as spontaneously when the bright autumn moon of pioneering Dutakavya for love transaction in Asvina fills this earth with romantic, fairy land Radha Krishna theme. atmosphere, recreated in this beautiful lyric.8 Chaupadibhusan is the cluster of thirty- Upendra is credited with nearly sixty four Chaupadis, which are initiated with a manuscripts. Many of these are yet to be consonant in order. Such cluster - composition published. Some of the publications which readily was taken as the initial record of this kind in Odia available are listed as Lavanyvayi, Baidehisha- literature. Maruta Choutisa and Anuchinta Vilash, Rasikaharabali, Rasalekha, Kotibramhan Chautisa are the romantic expression where dasundari, Premasudhanidhi, and breeze and bee play as messenger respectively. Chaupadibhusan. In Rasapunchaka