odisha culture

Biju Patnaik

(5 March 1916 – 17 April 1997)

Bijayananda Patnaik popularly known as Biju Patnaik– Born on 5th March, 1916–Son of Late L a x m i n a r a y a n Patnaik–Education : B. Sc.standard; Married : Shrimati Gyan Patnaik, two sons and one daughter; Prior occupation : Business; Hobbies : Aeronautics and Industry; Travel Abroad : U.K., U.S.A., U.S.S.R., Paris, Indonesia and several other countries; Political activities. Since boyhood fond of adventurous life; During student life set out on cycle from Cuttack to Peshawar; joined Indian National Airways and became its ace pilot, During “Quit India” Movement collaborated with underground leaders; Imprisoned for thirty months ; At the risk of his life he brought the Indonesian Premier Mr. Sultan Siharir to New Delhi by plane at the time of Indonesian Freedom Struggle. First Indian plane was landed by him in Kashmir in 1947, when Pakistan attacked India ; on returning to Orissa took interest in Industries and established many; President, U.P.C.C. for one term; Member, A.I.C.C., In 1961 Mid-term election under his leadership brought unprecedented absolute majority for Congress Party; Became Chief Minister 1961–63 and resigned under “Kamraj” Plan; Kalinga Airways is one of his creations. Donor of 1,000 pound prize to UNESCO as Science Award; Elected to the Orissa Legislative Assembly 1952, 1957, 1961 from Jagannathprasad, Surada (Ganjam) and Choudwar (Cuttack) respectively; again elected in 1971 and 1974 from Rajnagar (Cuttack); Chairman, Planning Board, Government of Orissa from 1971 to 1972 June. Took active part and rendered valuable service to the people of Rajnagar area in particular who suffered from the havoc caused by the cyclone in October, 1971. Elected to Parliament in 1977 and Cabinet Minister of the Central Ministry 1977 to 1979. Elected to Lok Sabha from Kendrapara Constituency in 1980. Again Shri Patnaik was elected to Lok Sabha from Kendrapara Parliamentary Constituency in 1984 Lok Sabha election. He was also elected from Bhubaneswar Assembly Constituency to Orissa Legislative Assembly in 1985 General Election. He resigned from Kendrapara Parliamentary Constituency and became the Opposition Leader in Orissa Legislative Assembly. Again he was elected to Orissa Legislative Assembly in 10th Orissa Legislative Assembly Election from Bhubaneswar Assembly Constituency. In 1990 under his dynamic leadership the Janata Dal secured more than three fourth majority of the Orissa Legislative Assembly which is quite unprecedented. He was unanimously elected as the Leader of the Janata Dal in Orissa Legislative Assembly and on his birth day he was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Orissa on 5th March, 1990. Again he was elected from Bhubaneswar Assembly Constituency in March, 1995 and became Leader of Opposition. Later he contested for Lok Sabha Election held in June, 1996 from Aska and Cuttack Constituency. He was elected from both the Constituencies. He resigned from O. L. A. and joined as Parliament Member from Aska Lok Sabha Constituency. This veteran leader passed away on 17th April, 1997 at Escort Hospital, New Delhi

Raja Bahadur Bamachandra Mardaraj Deo

(13th January 1900 – 23rd January1963)

The significant contribution of many a great leaders during 1920s and 30s resulted in the formation of a separate Orissa Province. Raja Bahadur Ramachandra Mardaraj Deo of Khallikote was one of them. He was born to Raja Harihar Mardaraj and Rani Kanak Manjari Devi on 13th January 1900. In the days to come, he was destined to shape the future of Orissa.

As a child, he was nicknamed Eric. He was brought up under the guidance of Governess Mrs. F. Harvey Dunn. He lost his father Raja Harihar Mardaraj Deo on 20th July 1909. Then he was sent to Madras for schooling at NewIngton. He studied at Christian College upto the age of his eligibility to take charge of his own estate. He came to the throne of Khallikote on 14th January 1921.

As first step in his pioneering efforts towards the formation of Orissa Province, he impressed upon the Philip-Duff Committee set up in 1924 in favour of this cause. Mr. C.L. Philip and Mr. A.C. Duff came to Rambha, stayed in the palace of Raja Sahib as his guests from 17th to 21st December 1924. A well attended public meeting was organised at Khallikotegarh and the impressed Committee gave a report in favour of the amalgamation.

However, the O’donnel Commission which was constituted later on gave a very discouraging report. But, Ramachandra Mardaraj debated against it in Madras Legislative Council. Inaugurating a special meeting of Utkal Union Conference on 21st August 1932, he emphasised on the merger of Oriya tracts as per Philip-Duff Committee recommendations.

Raja Sahib attended the 3rd Round Table Conference in London where he forcefully made arguments for the cause. To augment his approach, he hosted the famous ‘Orissa Banquet’ on 12th January 1933 and there he impressed upon Sri Samuel Hoare, the Secretary of State for India and finally managed to get the approval of Sir Samuel in favour of a separate Orissa Province.

As per the deliberations of 3rd Round Table Conference, a Joint Parliamentary Committee was constituted to look into this matter. Finally, the Government of India Act, 1935 was adopted and the clause 289 of this Act provided for the formation of a Separate Orissa Province

Raja Ramachandra Mardaraj Deo was a dynamic leader with full creative energy. His wide administrative and political experience and competence was a source of strength and inspiration for people who worked with him. He dedicated his life completely for the people of Orissa and worked for their welfare. The great Raja Sahib breathed his last on 23rd January 1963.

Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab

(21 November 1899 – 2 January 1987)

Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab was the son of Krushna Charan Das and Tohapha Debi. He was born on 21st November 1899 at Agarpada in undivided Balasore district. After matriculation from Bhadrak High School, he joined Ravenshaw College, Cuttack for his higher studies, which were left incomplete as he was irresistibly drawn to the National Liberation Movement in 1921. Thereafter his life was a saga of struggle and dedication to the cause of country’s freedom. He started weekly Prajatantra in 1923 at Balasore. First imprisonment on charge of sedition in the year 1922. He was the member of Bihar and Orissa Council in 1924. He joined Salt Movement and imprisoned in 1930. He participated in Harijan Movement in 1934 and opened his ancestral temple to Harijans for the first time in Orissa. He was the President of State People’s Enquiry Committee in 1938 and r e c o m m e n d e d cancellation of Sananda of Rulers and merger of Ex-State with Orissa Province. He participated in Non-Co-operation Movement and courted imprisonment in 1941 and “Quit India Movement” in 1942. Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab was the Chief Minister of Orissa from 1946 to 1950, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry from 1950– 52, Secretary General, Congress Party in Parliament 1952, Governor of Bombay from 1955-56, resigned from Governorship in 1956 and again became the Chief Minister of Orissa from 1956 to 1960. Dr. Mahatab has been rightly recognised as the architect of modern Orissa for his pivotal role in the merger and integration of former princely States, founding the State’s Capital at Bhubaneswar and the sanction and construction of the multi-purpose Hirakud Dam Project.

He was elected to Lok Sabha in 1962. He was also elected to Orissa Legislative Assembly in 1967, 1971 and 1974.

He was the founder of the Prajatantra Prachar Samiti which till today publishes Daily ‘Prajatantra’ and ‘Jhankar’ a monthly journal. He was Chief Editor of the publications since inception. He was the President of Orissa Sahitya Academy and Sangit Natak Academy for a couple of terms. Permanent member of the Utkal University Senate. He was a distinguished historian and writer in English and Oriya. He was conferred Honorary Degree of Doctor by Andhra University, Degree of Doctor of Literature by Utkal University and Doctor of Laws by Sagar University.

True to his multifaceted personality, Dr. Mahatab earned distinction as an accomplished writer “History of Orissa”, “Beginning of the End”. Apart from this, he had authored several novels, plays and poems which are acclaimed for their literary value. The compilation of his popular column “Gaon Mazlis” published in Daily Prajatantra received the Central Sahitya Academy Award in 1983.

Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab was a political leader par excellence. He towered over the time and events to lead the people of the State through years of transition during independence and thereafter. This illustrious son of this soil passed away on 2nd January, 1987.

Maharaja Shri Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayan Deo

(26 April 1892 – 25 May 1974 (aged 82))

Maharaja Shri Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayan Deo of Paralakhemundi, the son of Late Goura Chandra Gajapati Narayan Deo was born on 26th April 1892, educated in Madras, assumed rulership in 1913, an enlightened and benevolent ruler; a patron of education and culture organised the annual session of the Utkal Union Conference at Paralakhemundi in 1914. In 1916, he was nominated by the Government to hold the post of Honorary Commissioner of the Land-Force of the Defence of India, laid a light railway through his Estate connecting Naupada with Paralakhemundi; set up a big library in his palace for research scholars, an important member of the justice party of Madras, member of the Royal Agricultural Commission in 1927, member of the Madras Legislative Council, represented the case of Orissa at the Round Table Conference, London, 1930-31, deposed before the joint Parliamentary Committee for the union of Paralakhemundi with Orissa in 1934, placed the printed Memorandum before the authorities and strongly advocated for inclusion of the Oriya portions of Paralakhemundi in Orissa and Orissa for a separate province; formed the non-Congress Ministry in Orissa in 1937, the Government conferred on him the title of Maharaja in 1936 in recognition of his honour and merit. In 1941 November the Maharaja was invited to form the Ministry and assumed the Chief Ministership. Member of the Constituent Assembly of India 1947-50, life member of the Royal Society of Arts and Royal Asiatic Society, London; Life Member of Utkal University, Utkal University conferred on him the degree of LL. D. This worthy illustrious son of Orissa passed on 25th May 1974