Godabarish Misra

Pandit Godabarish Mishra (26 October 1886 – 26 July 1956)[1] was a poet and notable socialist from Odisha, India. He is known for his contribution to Odia literature.

Pandit

Godabarish Mishra
Portrait of Godabarish Mishra
Born
Godabarish Mishra

(1886-10-26)26 October 1886
Srinibaspur Sasan, Banapur, Puri, Odisha, India
Died26 July 1956(1956-07-26) (aged 69)
NationalityIndian
EducationB.A. in Philosophy, M.A. in Economics
Alma materRavenshaw College, University of Calcutta
Known forSocial reformer, Politician, Editor, Columnist, Writer
ChildrenRanganath Mishra, Loknath Mishra, Raghunath Mishra
ParentLingaraj Mishra & Apsara Devi
AwardsKendra Sahitya Academy Award (1961)

Early life

Godabarish Mishra was born to Lingaraj Mishra & Apsara Devi in a Brahmin family in Srinibaspur Sasan, near Banapur, Khordha district.[2] His primary education was from the village school and then received his higher education from the Puri District School in 1906 and enrolled in Ravenshaw College. He used to take tuition to cover the college fees. He received his B.A. in philosophy in 1910. He obtained his M.A. in economics from University of Calcutta in 1912.

Work

In teaching

He was a teacher in the Satyabadi School from 1913 to 1919. Then, he became the headmaster of Chakradharpur High School in the Singhbhum district (Now in Jharkhand) from 1919 to 1921. He was sent there with the aim of preserving the Odia language in the district of Singhbhum by Pandit Gopabandhu Das.[3] After taking part in the non-cooperation movement, he returned to his home village in 1922 and was involved in establishing new schools, small-scale industries, farms and social welfare organizations.

The Samaja

In 1928 he became the Editor of The Samaja, an Orissa local newspaper, holding that position for approximately two years, after the founder died.

In Utkal Samilani

He was associated with Utkal Sammilani from 1919 to 1955.[4] He was the President of the Utkal Samilani Special Conference held at Berhampur in 1955. He met Gopabandhu Das by chance while staying in a hostel. He was one of Gopabandhu's "Pancahsakha" (five friends).[5]

Social reformer

Although he belonged to a conservative Brahmin family, Mishra was a socialist. He was against caste discrimination. He didn't wear his sacred thread and also wore a moustache, which was against the Brahmin caste system.

Participation in the Non-cooperation Movement

He participated in the non-cooperation movement of 1921. He was the head of Singhbhum DCC and led the campaigns in Chakradharpur and adjacent areas.[6]

Political life

Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Gopabandhu Das, he joined the Congress party and was a member of the Vidhan Sabha (Lower House) of the Odisha Legislative Assembly. He was the member of the district board from 1924 to 1933. He was a member of Odisha Vidhan Sabha from 1937 till his death, with the exception of a five-year break. During this time he did not hold a post in the Orissa congress, due to political differences. When the Orissa ministry of congress was created he was not included in the ministry. He became a Vidhan Sabha member in 1952 as an independent candidate. He served in the Vidhan Sabha as an eminent administrator and member of the opposition party. He left Congress in 1939 and joined the Forward Block. He served as finance and education minister in the ministry of the Maharaja of Parlakhemundi from 1941 to 1944. During his stay as minister in 1943 he played an important role in the establishment of Utkal University,[7] Cuttack High court and various colleges in Puri, Baleshwar and Sambalpur.

Literary works

His work includes many essays, stories, novels, poems, biographies and translations. His poems played a crucial role in creating awareness towards that nation. His dramas Purushottama Deba, Mukunda Deba and autobiographical work Ardha Shatabdi Ra Orissa O Tahin Re Mo Sthana are some of his significant contributions to the Oriya literature.[5] He was also a competent editor. He published magazine Lokamukha from Banapur in 1924. He also used to write for the Eastcoast (An English paper) published by Sashi Bhusan Rath. He was awarded a doctorate in literature from Utkal University. Some of his published works are as below

  • Purushottama Deba[8]
  • Mukunda Deba[9]
  • Ardha Shatabdi Ra Orissa O Tahin Re Mo Sthana[10][11]
  • Godabarisa Parikrama[12]
  • Pilanka Kahinki[13]
  • Chatani[14]
  • Atharasaha satara[15]
  • Godabarisa Granthabali[16]

References
  1. EMINENT LITERARY LUMINARIES OF ORISSA (PDF). odisha.gov.in. p. 297. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 January 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2017. Died on July 26, 1956
  2. Magazines, Delhi Press (1 July 2018). The Caravan: July 2018. Delhi Press Magazines.
  3. Paty, C.K. (2002). History of Seraikella and Kharsawan States. Classical Publishing Company. ISBN 9788170543596. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
  4. "Eminent Persons -123orissa.com". 123orissa.com. Retrieved 4 February 2013. He was associated with Utkal Sammilani from 1919 to 1955.
  5. Mohanty, J. (2009). Encyclopaedia of Education, Culture and Children's Literature: v. 3. Indian culture and education. Deep & Deep Publications. p. 175. ISBN 978-81-8450-150-6. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
  6. Acharya, Pritish (11 March 2008). National Movement and Politics in Orissa, 1920-1929. ISBN 9788132100010.
  7. "'Pandit Godavarish struggled for State's first varsity'". Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  8. Misra, Godabarisa (1917). Purashottama Deba (in Odia). The Utkal Sahitya Press. OCLC 499869215.
  9. Misra, Godabarisa (1993). Mukunda Deba : aitihasika nataka (in Odia). Kataka Shtudentas Shtora. OCLC 30669276.
  10. Misra, Godabarisa (1966). Arddha satabdira Odisa (in Odia). OCLC 215133956.
  11. Misra, Godabarisa (1966). Arddha satabdira Odisa o tahim re mo sthana (in Odia). Grantha mandira. OCLC 30883494.
  12. Misra, Godabarisa; Satpathi, Nityananda (1986). Godabarisa parikrama (in Odia). Odisa Pujyapuja Samsada. OCLC 19673134.
  13. Misra, Godabarisa (1974). Pilanka kahinki (in Odia). Kataka Shtudentas Shtora. OCLC 499599798.
  14. Misra, Godabarisa (1973). Catani (in Odia). Kataka Shtudentas Shtora. OCLC 499113005.
  15. Misra, Godabarisa (1975). Atharasaha satara (in Odia). OCLC 49475412.
  16. Misra, Godabarisa (1960). Godabarisa granthabali (in Odia). Kataka shtudents shtora. OCLC 20062797.
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