Laxmikanta Mohapatra

Laxmikanta Mohapatra (Born 18 December 1888) was an Indian Odia poet , writer , performance artist and freedom fighter. More than 10 of his books have been published. He was a leading campaigner of Odisha State unification movement and an eminent member of Utkala Sammilani.

Kantakabi

Laxmikanta Mohapatra
Born (1888-12-09) 9 December 1888[1]
Dhuanpatria Lane, Cuttack[2]
Died24 February 1953(1953-02-24) (aged 64)[1]
ResidenceTalapada, Tihidi, Bhadrak[3]
NationalityIndian
CitizenshipIndian
EducationBachelor of Arts
Alma materPion College, Ravenshaw College
Notable worksBande Utkala Janani
ChildrenNityananda Mohapatra , Goura Chandra Mohapatra (Son)[4][5]

Early Life and Family

Laxmikanta was born on 18 December 1888, at Cuttack city. His father was zamindar Choudhary Bhagabat Prasad Samantaray Mohapatra and his mother's name was Radhamani Devi. He was native of Talapada village in Bhadrak district which was part of then Bengal Presidency. His father represented Bihar & Orissa Legislative Council for four times and served as its deputy speaker for twice.

Laxmikanta spent his childhood in his maternal uncle’s house and studied in Balasore. He studied at Kolkata’s Pion College for higher education after passing Intermediate. He returned to Ravenshaw College in 1913 and fulfilled his Bachelor of Arts degree.[5]

He was married to one Labanga Lata, the daughter of zamindar Lalmohan Das.

He was afflicted with Leprosy at early in his career and lost his physical movements. However It did not stop him from remaining active in the literary scene.

Literary life

Lakshmikanta created literary works in drama, parody, poetry, short-story, novel genres.His literary style had a nationalistic fervour and sharp satire. He was one of the few writers who made significant contributions to Odia literature during the period when its existence was threatened. As a political critic , his acerbic criticism of politicians and feudal chiefs earned him an adverse reputation. He was also a musician and an actor . He has also contributed enormously to the rich tradition of performing arts in Orissa. He created a dramatic troupe call Gopinath Natya Samaj at his village.[6] Kantakabi’s songs like Bande Utkala Janani, Koti Koti Kanthe Aji, Udaee Nisana Bajai Veri were battle cry of Odia freedom fighters during freedom struggle and state-hood movement. His composition Bande Utkala Janani was adopted as the welcome song for Balasore Session of Utkal Sammilani, the organization which sphere-headed the separate Orissa state movement. This song was accorded the status of state anthem of Odisha in 2020.

Published Works

Novel
  • Kana Mamu

Short Story
  • Budha Sankhari

Mythology
  • Basanta Bilasa
  • Baruna Bijaya
  • Kaliyadalana
  • Brajabarjana
  • Besabadala

Plays
  • Karna
  • Kalapahada
  • Chandraahasa

Children's Literature
  • Chidiakhana
  • Dharma Sangeeta
  • Balachara
  • Sunapua
  • Mo Desa

Essays
  • Keisora Swapna
  • Joubana Pathe
  • Nibhruta Nisithe
  • Jibanta Maran

Laxmikant published a journal called “Dagara“, which published articles in various genres such as satire, children’s stories, political and societal criticism etc.

gollark: Double... spirals?
gollark: Probably not all, bu tcommon ones at least.
gollark: They'll probably all be taken, but try it anyway.
gollark: Well, yes, I would hope so.
gollark: (that was a joke)

References
  1. "Orissa Review August 2006". magazines.odisha.gov.in. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  2. "Eminent Personality of Odisha -Kanta Kabi Laxmikanta Mohapatra". eOdisha.org - latest Odisha News - Business - Culture -Art - Travel. 12 April 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  3. "Know who is lyricist of 'Bande Utkal Janani'…". Prameyanews. 30 May 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  4. "fullstory". Home. 29 June 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  5. Mohapatra, Prabhu Kalyan. "Kantakabi : A Nationalist Poet of Rare Caliber". PIB. Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  6. Pani, S.; Das, H.C.; Kar, I.B. (1988). Glimpses of History and Culture of Balasore. Orissa State Museum. p. xxvii. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
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