Language and Literature Vipin

 Odia, the official language of the state, is one of the six classical languages of India, known for its
long literary tradition dating back over a thousand years.
 Rooted in the Indo-Aryan linguistic family, Odia has evolved through various stages, from
inscriptions in ancient Kalinga to a refined literary form.
 Early works, such as Sarala Das’s Mahabharata and Jagannath Das’s Bhagabata, laid the
foundation of Odia literature, blending mythology with social narratives.
 Folklore, ballads, and temple inscriptions further enrich the linguistic and literary landscape of
Odisha.

Language of Odisha
Odia Language
 It is the official language of Odisha, second Official language of Jharkhand and is also
spoken in the parts of west Bengal, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh.
 The earliest known Odia inscription dates back to 1051 AD at Urajang, while recent
discoveries suggest Odia words in 6th-century AD Sanskrit inscriptions from ancient Kalinga.
 It is a classical and Eastern Indo-Aryan language of the Indo-European family and spoken by
nearly 60 million people.
 Odia was declared Odisha's official language through the Orissa Official Language Act, 1954,
and was recognized as India's sixth classical language in 2014, following Sanskrit, Tamil,
Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam.

Standard Odia
 It is also known as ‘Kataki Odia,’ originates from the Mughalbandi region due to its rich
literary tradition.
 It is spoken in the eastern half of Odisha, including Khordha, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack,
Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Kendrapara, Nayagarh, and Angul districts.
 Literary Odia differs from its spoken form.

Major Dialects of Odia Language

Dialect Regions Spoken
Baleswari Odia Baleswar, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj
Bhatri South-Western Odisha
Desiya Odia Koraput, Rayagada, Nabarangapur, Malkangiri
Ganjami Odia Ganjam, Gajapati districts
Kataki Odia Cuttack, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara
Puri Odia Puri district
Sambalpuri Odia Baragarh, Balangir, Boudh, Debagarh, Nuapada, Sambalpur, Subarnapur
Halbi Bastar district (Chhattisgarh); a mix of Odia and Marathi
Phulbani Odia Phulbani Town, Khajuripada block (Kandhamal), Boudh

Minor Non-literary and Tribal Dialects of Odia Languages

 Dialect Regions Spoken
Aghria Western Odisha
Bathudi Northern Odisha
Bodo Parja/Jharia Koraput district
Bhulia Western Odisha
Bhuyan Southern Odisha
Kalahandia Odia Undivided Kalahandi district
Kondhan Western Odisha
Kurmi Northern Odisha
Laria Bordering areas of Western
Odisha
Matia Southern Odisha
Reli Southern Odisha
Sundargadi Odia Sundargarh district
Sounti Northern Odisha
Sadri Northern Odisha

Odia/Oriya Script
 Origin: Developed from the early Kalinga script, which belongs to the ancient Brahmi family.
 Writing Direction: Left to right.
 Structure: Based on the orthographic syllable, known as Askara
 Alphabet: Consists of 52 basic characters—11 vowels and 41 consonants.
 Compound Characters: Contains over 200 compound characters.
 Cultural Significance: Integral to Odia tradition and widely used in culture, arts, education,
and administration.

Literature of Odisha
 Odia literature has flourished through diverse genres, including poetry, prose, drama, and
devotional writings.
 The Bhakti movement significantly influenced literary expression, emphasizing devotion and
moral values.
 In modern times, Odia literature has embraced contemporary themes, with notable
contributions from writers like Fakir Mohan Senapati, and Gopinath Mohanty.

Literature of Odisha

Poetry Prose Plays

Age of Poetry
  Early Origins: Began with Charyapada or Caryagiti, composed by Vajrayana Buddhist poets
using Sandhya Bhasha in Prakrit. Poets like Luipa and Kanhupa were from Odisha.
 Pre-Sarala Age: Featured Natha and Siddha literature, notable works include Shishu Veda,
Amar Kosha, Gorakh Samhita, Kalasha Chautisha (by Baccha Das), Somanatha Bratakatha,
Nagula Chavithi, Tapoi, and Saptanga.
 Sarala Age: Sarala Das, the first great Odia poet, translated the Mahabharata into Odia,
creating an original literary masterpiece that laid the foundation for Odia literature. He was
titled Shudramuni despite lacking formal education.
 16th–17th Century (Rita Yuga): Saw the rise of Kalpanika (imaginative) and Paranika
(Puranic) Kavyas. Notable works include Narsingha Sena’s Gopakeli and Parimala.
 Jayadeva’s Gita Govinda: Translated into Odia by Dharanidhara Mishra, Brindavan Das
(Rasabaridhi), and Trilochan Das (Govinda Gita).
 Women and Muslim Contributions: Purnatama Chandrodaya Kavya was written by
Brundabati Das, and Muslim poet Salabega composed devotional poems for Lord Jagannath.
 Chitra Kavya (Pictorial Poetry): Gained popularity in Odia literature.
 Modern Era: Radhanath Roy, the first modern Odia poet, introduced Western influences;
patriotic poets like Gopabandhu Das emerged.
 Pre & Post-Independence Poets: Included Mayadhar Mansinha, Godavarish Mohapatra, and
Ananta Patnaik.
 Ultra-Modern Style: Introduced by Sachi Kanta Raut Ray.

Age of Prose
 First Organized Prose Work: Rudrasudhanidhi by Abhadutta Narayan Swami.
 Earliest Prose Usage: Madala Panji (Palm-leaf Chronicles of Jagannath Temple, Puri) dates
back to the 12th century.
 Markanda Das: Known for Kesava Koili, Daasagriba Badha, and Jnanodaya Koili.
 Other Notable Works:
o Usabhilasa - Sisu Sankara Das
o Rahasya-Manjari - Deva Durlabha Das
o Rukmini-Bibha - Kartheika Das
 In the early 17th century, Ramachandra Pattanayaka introduced a new form of prose novels
in verse with his work Haravali.
 These writers used plain and simple Odia. Upendra Bhanja’s Baidehisha Bilasa and
Labanyabati are literary landmarks. He enriched Odia with over 35,000 aesthetically refined
words and is honored as Kabi Samrat and the greatest poet of Ritiyuga.
 Fakir Mohan Senapati, known as the Father of Modern Odia Literature, highlighted
Zamindari exploitation in Chha Mana Atha Gunta.
 Other notable Odia novels include Nanda Kishore Bal’s Kanaklata and Chintamani Mohanty’s
Yugalamath.

Religious Writings
 Odia literature also consists of many religious writings which are inspired by the Bhakti
Movement in 14th-16th Century.
 Shri Chaitanya brought Vaishnava influence in a new evolution in Odia literature.
 Balarama Das, Jagannatha Das, Yasovanta Das, Ananta Das, and Achyutananda Das, known as
the Panchasakhas, were prominent religious writers who followed Utkaliya Vaishnavism.
 Balarama Das’ Lakshmi Purana is considered the first manifesto of women’s liberation or
feminism in Indian literature.

Age of Plays
 Origins: Evolved from Jatras, Leelas, and Suangs.
 First Odia Play (1877): Babaji by Jagmohan Leela.
 Notable Playwrights: Kampal Mishra, Padmanav Narayan Dev, Bhikari Charan Patnaik.
 Lyrical Dramas: Feature poetry in dialogues, prominent writers include Baishnav Pani and
Balakrishna Mohanty.
 Sanskrit dramas remain popular in Odisha. Kalicharan Patnaik’s Konark (historical) and Bhata
(social) highlight significant themes, including famine struggles.
 Post-independence playwrights continue to create engaging and thought-provoking Odia
dramas.

Pragati Yug

In Odisha, a progressive movement was started which is termed as

Pragati Yug. Nabajuga Sahitya Sansad was formed by prominent writers
like Nabakrushna Choudhary, Bhagabati Charan Panigrahi and Ananta
Patnaik in 1935. The first progressive literary magazine in Odia, Adhunika
was conceived, initiated, edited and published by Bhagabati Charan
Panigrahi and Ananta Patnaik.

Purnachandra Odia Bhashakosha

Gopal Chandra Prahraj created Purnachandra Odia Bhashakosha in Odia

language which published between 1930 and 1940. It is a monumental 7
volume work of about 9500 pages, which lists some 1,85,000 words and
their meanings in four languages i.e. Odia, English, Hindi and Bengali.

Eminent Personalities of Odisha Literature

Jayadeva
 Birth: 1170
 Death: 1245

 Notable Work: Geeta Govinda—depicts Krishna’s love for Radha

  He had major influence on Odissi music Odissi dance and Patta paintings.
 He institutionalized the Devadasi system in Odia temples.

Sarala Das
 Era: 15th century
 Titles: Utkal Balmiki, Adikari
 Major Works: Vilanka Ramayana, Chandi Purana, Odia Mahabharata
 He played a key role in shaping the Odia language in its present form
 Odia literature is categorized into Pre-Sarala Yug, Sarala Yug, and Post-Sarala Yug based on
his influence

Deenakrushna Das
 Birth: 1650
 Place: Balasore, Odisha
 Death: 1710
 Notable Work: Rasakallola—depicts the divine leela of Radha and Krishna
 Other Works: Rasa Binoda, Amruta Sagar, Guna Sagar, Bhabha Samudra, etc.

Upendra Bhanja
 Birth: 1670
 Place: Bhanjanagar, Odisha
 Death: 1740
 Title: Kabi-Samrat (Greatest Poet of Ritiyuga)
 Notable Works: Labanyabati, Brajaleela, Baidehisha Bilasa, Rasapanchaka, etc.
 He contributed 32,300 words to Odia language and literature.
 His Sanskrit poetics style of writing is called Reeti and Deena.

Brajanath Badajena
 Birth: 1730
 Place: Kabara village, Dhenkanal district
 Death: 1800
 Era: Riti Yuga, contemporary of Upendra Bhanja
 Notable Works: Keli Kalanidhi, Bidesh, Gopi Bilapa, Manoduta (Sanskrit), Gundichabije
(Hindi)

Kavisurya Baladev Rath

 Birth: 1789
 Place: Badakhemundi, Ganjam district
 Death: 1845
 Notable Works: Kavisurya Granthavali, Kavisurya Geetavali, Kishore Chandranana, Chaupadi
Chautisha
 He founded Dhumpa Sangita.

Gourishankar Ray
 Birth: 13th July, 1839,
 Place: Cuttack district
 Death: 7th March, 1917
  Title: Karmaveer Gourishankar
 He led the Save Odia Movement in the late 19th century to protect and preserve the Odia
language.
 He founded Cuttack Printing Company and edited Utkal Deepika, the first Odia newspaper.

Bhima Bhoi
 Birth: 1850,
 Place: Sambalpur district, Odisha
 Death: 1895
 Guru: Mahima Mahaprabhu
 Notable Works: Stuti Chintamani, Brahma Nirupana Geeta, Nirbeda Sadhana, Adi Anta
Geeta
 Philosophy: Advocated spiritualism, human service, and rejected idol worship
 He was blind from birth.

Nanda Kishore Bal

 Birth: 22nd December 1875,
 Place: Kusupur village, Cuttack district
 Death: 1st July 1928
 Title: Palli Kabi (Poet of the Countryside)
 Literary Contribution: Depicted rural Odisha in poetry and wrote a novel Kanaklata
 Notable Works: Pallichitra, Nirjharini, Basanta-Kokila, Tarangini, Charuchitra, Nirmalaya,
Prabhata Sangeeta, Sandhya Sangita, Nana Baya Gita, Krushna Kumari, Sharmistha

Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das

 Birth: 1877,
 Place: Puri district
 Death: 1928
 Contribution: Founder of modern Odisha, patriot, poet, and writer
 Notable Works: Patriotic lyrical poems, thought-provoking prose
 He founded The Samaja (weekly newspaper) in 1919

Godabarish Mohapatra
 Birth: 26th October, 1886,
 Place: Khordha district
 Death: 26th July, 1956
 Roles: Writer, freedom fighter
 Publications: Niakunta (1938), Tuan Tuin Tuin (1957)
 Awards: Odia Sahitya Akademi Award for Mo Khelasathi, Utha Kankala, Kanta O Phula;

Kabai Chandra Kalicharan Patnaik

 Birth: 23 December 1897,
 Place: Banki, Cuttack district
 Death: 1978
 Title: ‘Kabichandra’ (1927) by Sri Ramachandra Dev, Gajapati of Puri
  Known for: Drama literature in Odia language
 Genres: Mythological, historical, social dramas; also wrote stories, poems, and one-act plays
 Notable Works: Mrugaya, Sakuntala, Harishchandra, Abhijana, Rakta Mandara, Jayadeva,
Pratisodha, Ahuti, Banaphula, Ananga, Jugapurusha
 Award: Padma Shri (1971)

Annada Shankar Ray

 Birth: 1904,
 Place: Dhenkanal district
 Death: 2002
 Role: Bengali poet and essayist; also contributed to Odia poetry
 Awards: Padma Bhushan, Sahitya Akademi Award.
 Notable Works: Du Kankata, Binur Boi, Japane, Konna, Tarunno

Jayanta Mahapatra
 Birth: 1928,
 Place: Cuttack district
 Death: 27 August 2023
 Profession: Renowned Indian English poet
 Notable Works: A Rain of Rites, A Father’s Hours, The Green Gardener, Baya Raja, Smruti
Pari Kichhiti
 Publications: Authored 27 poetry books (7 in Odia, rest in English)

Manoj Das
 Birth: 1934,
 Place: Balasore district
 Death: 27th April, 2021
 Profession: Renowned short story writer (English & Odia)
 Genres: Short stories, poems, travelogues, essays
 Notable Works: Kete Diganta, Kabita Utkala, Amruta Phala
 Awards: Saraswati Samman, Padma Shri (2001)

Sitakant Mahapatra
 Birth: 1937,
 Place: Cuttack district, Odisha
 Profession: Poet and literary critic (Odia & English)
 Notable Works: Ashtapadi (1963), Shabdara Akash (1971), Unending Rhythms (Oral poetry
of Santhal tribes)
 Awards: Jnanpith Award (1993), Sahitya Akademi Award (1974), Padma Bhushan (2002),
Padma Vibhushan (2010)

Pratibha Ray
 Birth: 1943,
 Place: Jagatsinghpur district, Odisha
 Profession: Renowned Odia writer (novels & short stories)
 Notable Works: Gandhinka, Gangashiuli, Dura Dwividha, Barsa Basanta Baishakha, etc.
 Awards: Odisha Sahitya Akademi Award, Padma Shri, Jnanpith Award, etc.
Prominent Authors and Their Important Compositions

Book Name Author’s Name

Gita Govinda Jayadev
Odia Mahabharata Sarala Das
Keshaba Koili Markanda Das
Dandi Ramayan, Amar Kosh Balaram Das
Shreemada Bhagawat Jagannath Das
Hari Bansa Achyutananda Das
Govinda Chandra Yosabanta Das
Nrusingh Purana Pitambar Das
Rukumini Bibhaha Kartika Das
Raghunatha Bilash Dhananjaya Bhanja
Rasa Kallola Dinakrushna Das
Baidehi Bilasa (Labanyabati) Upendra Bhanja
Bidgadha Chintamani Abhimanyu Samant Singhar
Kabita Kallohla, Kishore Chandranan Champu Kabisurya Baladev Ratha
Stuti Chintamani, Adianta Gita Bhima Bhoi
Mahamoha, Janjyaseni and Silapadma Pratibha Ray
Bandira Atmakatha, Kara Kabita Gopabandhu Das
Tapaswaini, Pranaya Bhallari Gandhar Meher
Amritua Santa, Mati o Matala Gopinath Mohanty
Bajare Bajabala Ramprasad Mohanty
Sri Radha, Aneka Kothari, Saptaima Rutu Ramkanta Rath
Belun Gala Udi Maheswar Mohanty
Jhumuka Rama Krushna Nanda
Ara Drushya Sitakant Mahapatra
Ashwamedheva Ghoda Bibhuti Patnaik
Amabasyara Chandra Govinda Das
Bhool Nityananda Mahapatra
Prutibira Tire Debaraj Lenka
Baji Rout, Pandulipi Sachidanand Routray
Bruhat Srishal Itihas Ramchandra Mallick
Andha Gali Akhil Mohan Patnaik
Bana Raijara Katha Manorama Mohapatra

Multiple Choice Questions

1 Apart from Odisha, Odia is spoken in parts of

(a) West Bengal

(b) Jharkhand
(c) Chhattisgarh

(d) All of these

2 Odia is the....... Indian classical language.

(a) 1st

(b) 2nd

(c) 5th

(d) 6th

3 Which language got the classical language status in 2014?

(a) Tamil

(b) Telugu

(c) Odia

(d) Sanskrit

4 Odia language is associated with language?

(a) Assamese

(b) Bengali

(c) Maithili

(d) All of these

5. The earliest known Odia inscription found is?

A) 6th-century AD Sanskrit inscriptions

B) 1051 AD Urajang inscription

C) 10th-century rock inscription

D) 12th-century temple records

6. The origin of the Odia script?

A) Brahmi script

B) Kharosthi script

C) Tamil script

D) Persian script

7 Which of the following is known as Standard Odia?

(a) Ganjami Odia

(b) Kataki Odia

(c) Sambalpuri Odia

(d) Halbi Odia

8. Desiya Odia dialect is spoken in?

(a) Rayagada

(b) Koraput

(c) Malkangiri

(d) All of these

9 Which Odia dialect is a mixture of Odia and Marathi?

(a) Sambalpuri

(b) Halbi

(c) Kataki

(d) Bhatri

10. Bodo Parja tribal dialect is spoken in

(a) Koraput

(b) Gajapati

(c) Ganjam

(d) Puri

11. The modern Odia script has how many alphabets?

(a) 11

(b) 42

(c) 52

(d) 60

12. What was the language of the Charya literature written in ancient Odisha?

(a) Pali

(b) Sanskrit

(c) Magadhi

(d) Prakrit

13. Who is considered the first great poet of Odisha?

(a) Markanda Das

(b) Sarala Das

(c) Jagannath Das

(d) Balrama Das

14. Who translated the Mahabharata from Sanskrit to Odia?

(a) Markanda Das

(b) Sarala Das

(c) Jagannath Das

(d) Balrama Das

15 Which famous literary work was translated in Odia by many prominent Odia poets?

(a) Kanaklata

(b) Geeta Govinda

(c) Padmavat

(d) Raja Tarangini

16 Who was the great introducer of ultra-modern style in modern Odia poetry?

(a) Kuntala Kumari Sabat

(b) Sachi Kanta Raut Ray

(c) Gopala Prahraja

(d) Nanda Kishore Bal

17 Earliest records of prose in Odia language is seen in which among the following things?

(a) Metal plates

(b) Stone inscriptions

(c) Silk patakas

(d) Palm leaves

18. The earliest origins of Odia poetry can be traced to which literary work?

A) Charyapada

B) Madala Panji

C) Gita Govinda

D) Mahabharata (Odia version)

19. What was the main theme of Fakir Mohan Senapati’s novel Chha Mana Atha Gunta?

A) British administration

B) Zamindari exploitation

C) Freedom movement

D) Feminism

20. What is Lakshmi Purana by Balarama Das known for?

A) First Odia novel

B) First feminist literature in India

C) A historical drama

D) A devotional epic on Lord Jagannath

20. Which poet composed devotional poems for Lord Jagannath and was a Muslim?

A) Jayadeva

B) Salabega

C) Radhanath Roy

D) Achyutananda Das

21. Which playwright wrote Konark and Bhata, highlighting historical and social themes?

A) Kalicharan Patnaik

B) Kampal Mishra

C) Bhikari Charan Patnaik

D) Baishnav Pani

22. What was the first progressive literary magazine in Odia?

A) Sahakar

B) Adhunika

C) Pragati

D) Yugantara

23. Which movement led to the formation of Nabajuga Sahitya Sansad in Odisha?

A) Bhakti Movement

B) Renaissance Movement

C) Progressive Movement (Pragati Yug)

D) Nationalist Movement

24 Which is the most popular novel written by Fakir Mohan Senapati?

(a) Yugalamath

(b) Nagala Chauthi

(c) Chha Mana Atha Guntha

(d) Kanaklata

25. Who among the following is not a poet of ‘Panchasakhas’?

(a) Balaram Das

(b) Achyutananda Das

(c) Arjuna Das

(d) Jagannath Das

26. Who wrote the first Odia play ‘Babaji’ in 1877?

(a) Jagmohan Leela

(b) Kampal Mishra

(c) Padmanav Narayan Dev

(d) Kalicharan Patnaik

27. What was the name of the first progressive literature magazine started in the Odia language?

(a) Amrita

(b) Adhunika

(c) Ananta

(d) Vinay Patrika

28 The Purnachandra Odia Bhashakosh contains word meanings in four languages: Odia, English,
Hindi and

(a) Bengali

(b) Sanskrit

(c) Telegu

(d) French

29 Great epic ’Geeta Govinda’ was written by which eminent literary personality of Odisha?

(a) Sarala Das

(b) Jayadeva

(c) Upendra Bhanja

(d) Malik Mohammad Jayasi

30. Who is considered Kabi Samrat of Odia literature?

(a) Upendra Bhanja

(b) Ramachandra Pattanayka

(c) Balarama Das

(d) Gopala Praharaja

31. Bhima Bhoi was born in.......... district.

(a) Ganjam
(b) Cuttack

(c) Sambalpur

(d) Balasore

32.Which Odia poet of notable works like Stuti Chintamani, Brahma Nirupana Geeta was born
blind?

(a) Bhima Bhoi

(b) Nandkishore Bal

(c) Kavisurya Baladev Rath

(d) Sarala Das

33. Chandra Kalicharan Patnaik was awarded the Padma Shri in..............

(a) 1972

(b) 1973

(c) 1971

(d) 1976

34. Godabarish Mahapatra was born in which district?

(a) Khordha

(b) Cuttack

(c) Balasore

(d) Angul

35. Name the notable Odia writer who is the recipient of Sahitya Akademi Award, Jnanpith Award,
Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhusan?

(a) Sitakant Mahapatra

(b) Manoj Das

(c) Pratibha Ray

(d) Jayanta Mahapatra

36. Consider the following statements

I. The earliest use of prose can be found in Madala Panji or thePalm-leaf Chronicles.

II. They belong to Jagannatha temple at Puri, dating back to the 12th century.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) Only I

(b) Only II

(c) Both I and II

(d) None of the above

37. Consider the following statements about Purnachandra Bhashakosh

1. There is a monumental work of 7 volumes that contains 9500 pages.

2. It is sort of Odia dictionary created by Gopal Chandra Prahraj.

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

(a) Only 1

(b) Only 2

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) None of the above