Harbinger Of Modernism In Odia Poetry : Kabi Dipak Mishra - A Tribute
(Odia language has always boasted of literary titans such as -Kabi Samrat Uupendra Bhanja, Vyash Kabi Fakira Mohan Senapati, Bhaktakabi Madhusudan Rao, Swabhab Kabi Gangadhara Meher, Kabibara Radhanatha Ray amongst many others. However, having read the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Puraskar winner, Sri Dipak Mishra, I can proudly say that his name shall be taken with the same reverence as these titans for his contribution to odia literature. I do not say this because of my personal acquaintance with him as a student, but after having read his poems repeatedly over my lifetime and letting the melody and reverberation of his poems seep into my being)
Born to parents Sri Braja Kumar Mishra and Smt Annapurna Mishra on 07.03.1938 , Dipak was the 2nd amongst 4 brothers ,the eldest being Sri Rebati Kanta Mishra ,followed by two youngers Dilip(Politician) and Dulal( Sr.Jouralist ) .Their forefathers migrated from Bengal about 500 years ago following the footprints of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in early sixteenth century and settled down in the village Kamarkhandi near Sri Baladeb Jew’s temple ,Kendrapara .After matriculation from Kendrapara High School in 1955 ,Dipak joined Chriest College at Cuttack and completed graduation with History Hons in 1959 .He did his M.A., from the prestigious Allahabad University in 1961.Soon after returning from Allahabad, he started his career for a brief period along with Sri Bhanuji Rao, Sri Jnanendra Burma, as a co-editor in the odia daily ‘The Kalinga’ founded by legendary Sri Biju Patnaik and edited by Sri Manmohan Mishra, Subsequently by Sri Surendra Mohanty .Here the seed of literature was sown which sprouted into a big Banyan tree spreading its branches, in subsequent period spanning over 5 decades ,culminating his incumbency as the president of Odisha Sahitya Akademi for two terms.
He started his teaching career as a lecturer in History at Mohan Subudhi College , Badamba in 1061. After a brief stint at Badamba college , he joined his home town college at Kendrapara in the year 1962 where his career bloomed as an illustrious teacher for more than 3 decades and as principal in subsequent years up to his retirement from Marshaghai College in 1998, after serving as Principal in Paradeep, Kujanga and L.N. Mahavidyalaya Patkura. He was one of the finest scholars; we have in our Kendrapara College, with wide range of interest and knowledge, and never fumbled for words during his teachings. Speech gushed from his lips like water from a fountain. Knowledge was his obsession and teaching was his passion .He taught us Ancient India and Moghul Period of medieval India in 1972-73 in our graduation classes. His classes were so enchanting and engrossing, it get imprinted in the impressionable minds of the students who listen to him with rapt attention and necessitated no further reading of books.
As he waxed eloquent on historically important chapters making digressions into mythology and literature of that period, it makes very interesting to listen to the eloquence of Dipak Sir .He was the Editor –in –Chief of Kendrapara College Magazine ‘BALAYA’ with co-editors comprising of Dr. P.G. Rama Rao –a first Ph.D. in English under Utkal University, Dr. Ramachandra Behera (President of Odisha Sahitya Akademi later period from 2010-13),Dr. Nandkeshore Parida, and Dr. Bramhananda Das . Due to their inspirational motivations many a student became literary stars like Dr. A.C. Padhiary, I.A.S (Retd.) writer of repute and researcher on Shri Jagannath cult and Culture (D.Litt.), Dr. Aparna Mohanty –an eminent contemporary poetess, Dr.Satrughna Pandab (recipient of Sarala Puraskar for his book ‘ Mishra Dhrupada’ for the year 2018 ) , Sri Kamala Kanta Mohanty- eminent author and scribe of national repute , Sri Narendra Kumar Pttanayak, Sri Abhay Singh, Sri Prakash Kumar Parida ,Sri Bibhuti Bhusan Pradhan, Dr. Sunamani Rout, Sri Girish Chandra Sahoo, Sri Abhiram Biswal, Dr.Sricharan Mohanty ,Sri Tuhinansu Rath , Sri Abhaya Nayak and the never ending list. Dipak Sir, happened to be one of the architects and guiding spirit behind the ‘Srabani Sahitya Sansad’ a pioneering literary organization for spreading the fragrance of Odia literature at Kendrapara.
In the year 1973 under the auspices of All India Radio, Cuttack, the programme co-coordinator Dr.Brajamohan Mohanty of A.I.R, had organized a “Charran Kabi Sameelani” in collaboration with Srabani Sahitya Sansad at Kendrapara College where the literary genius of rural Odisha were encouraged to recite their verses and felicitated in large numbers and all the while, Dipak Sir was the brain behind the two days function . Besides Srabani Sahitya Sansad, he has been deeply involved in organizing annual Kendrapara Book Fair and one of the founders and spokespersons of other literary organizations such as -Punarba, Jagaruk ,Jila Sahitya Parishad at Kendrapara ,the First and oldest Municipality of our Odisha ,founded in 10.3.1869( Orissa Gazetteer of Cuttack page-733).The Diamond Jubilee Library at old Bus stand was established in 1897 to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria -stands as a testimony of cultural heritage of Kendrapara. The Diamond Jubilee Library had been an institution of higher learning before the college came up in the mid fifties. Seekers of knowledge and having good taste in literature, both English and Odia, were drawing their sustenance from huge collection of books of various subjects. Perhaps, Dipak Sir could have utilized these Library facilities to quench his thirst in enhancing his knowledge.
The specialty in Dipak Mishra sir was that, he as a popular lecturer; has inspired many a budding poets throughout the state and particularly at Kendrapara by influence of his technical innovations, critical analysis and judgment of the merits and faults of a literary work which came across the sharp and analytical eye of Dipak Mishra ,the poet .He used to write post cards to the poets, writers whose articles came to his knowledge and it was the characteristic way of Dipak sir with profound sincerity and affection to communicate with the writers encouraging them for development and advancement of their writing skills .
Kabi Dipak Mishra has been widely regarded as one of the most influential poets of the second half of twentieth century and his contributions to the modernist poetry were enormous .He is considered as the “DRONACHARYA” of Odia poetry by the poetic fraternity and responsible, for the twentieth century revolution in Odia poetry, than any other individual .His technical innovations and use of unconventional poetic materials often baffled even sympathetic readers. Besides his unparalleled dedication to his teaching assignment as a successful history teacher from early sixties -1961 to late nineties -1998, Dipak Sir mostly devoted his energies to advancing the art of modern poetry. His invaluable poetical works, -Anustupa, Arana Mahinshi , Asamapika ,Bruta, Saptam Prithivi, Sunyatar Sosha, Nirjan Nakshetra ,Madhyanara Chhai ,Nishidha Hrada, Dhulira Singhasan ,Kapatta Surya, and Sukha Sanghita ,are worth mentioning and would be bearing his hallmark modernism in Odia poetry to be extolled and emulated by the posterity .Besides his poetical exuberance reflected in his foregoing works ,his autobiography “Smritira Bilola Dristi” , ‘’The Flux And After ‘English translation of Kabita Sankalan ( collection of poetry) and a well researched historical publication “Lord Chaitanya And Odisha of His Time” were spellbinding and remarkable literary and monumental prosaic creations .
“Rakta Golap”- his first kabita was published in the “Saptahika Prajatantra(Sunday Prajatantra)” on 17.9.1957 which caused an unforgettable romantic thrill in the heart of an adolescent young dreamer Dipak , which gave enormous impetus to build his poetical empire .This date has been considered a watershed in his poetic pursuit to start with, which spanned over more than fifty glorious years till his end in 2008 on Saheed Divas .His second kabita “GOTIE PRATHANA RA DUWITI SWARA “ was published in the prestigious Odia magazine ‘JHANKAR’ published by Prajatantra Prachar Samiti of Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab and edited by Sri Satyananda Champatiray in 1962; after that there was no looking back . Dipak sir was credited with 17 numbers of poetical masterpiece,3 volumes of Anthology of Poetry published in different established magazins,3 volumes of Literary Criticisms and one English Translation of Poetical works, for which he has received grateful acknowledgements from his avid readers ,critics and fellow travelers.
His anthology of Odia poems ‘BRUTA ’received the Odisha Sahitya Akademi award in 1978.Though he was selected for ‘SARALA PURASKAR’ for his book “NIDAGHA JATRA” jointly with writer- novelist Sri Jagadish Mohanty in 2004,he declined to accept the award due to personal reason ,perhaps he felt his works were not properly evaluated and declared recipient jointly and that too a delayed one. Also recognition came, at the national level very late, in the year 2007 when his book “SUKHA SANGHITA” got Central Sahitya Akademi award for which he was not much enthusiastic .His hurt self esteem refused to accept the covetous national award and he declined to attend the award giving ceremony slated to be held on 20.2.2008 and after much persuasion by well-wishers notably by Sri Bibhuti Patnaik –a member of Kendra Sahitya Akademi Executive committee -, and as further requested by official of Sahitya Akademi ,authorized his son to receive the award on his behalf. Though Dipak Sir has won the hearts of his umpteen number of avid readers ,few of his institutional Saman ,Awards are mentioned below for appreciation of his avid readers :-
1-PRAJATANTRA KABITA PURASKAR -1959.
2- PRAJATANTRA KABITA PURASKAR -1966.
3-VISHUBA KABITA PURASKAR-1976.
4-VISHUBA KABITA PURASKAR-1981.
5-ODISHA SAHITYA AKADEMI AWARD -1978.
6-GOKARNA PURASKAR-1984.
7-GANGADHAR KABYA KABITA PURASKAR-1995.
8-JADUMANI SAHITYA SANSAD SAMAN
9-KENDRAPARA SANDHYA MAHAVIDYALAYA SAMAN
10-PUNARBA SAHITYA SANSAD RAJATA SAMBORDHANA-2007.
11-KENDRA SAHITYA AKADEMI PURASKAR -2007.
In the annals of Odisha Sahitya Akademi 3 years - 1957,1982-83,and 2007-08 are to be written in Golden Letters ; may be considered most important and epochal years ,because of the facts that in 1957 the Akademi was institutionalized ,the Akademi celebrated Silver Jubilee in the year 1982-83,and Golden Jubilee in the year 2007-08.Pandit Nilakantha Das- freedom fighter, political leader , eminent educationist, profound scholar ,orator, social reformer and one of the founders of Satyabadi Bana Vidyalaya and its first headmaster ,had the distinction to decorate the prestigious chair of State Sahitya Akademi as the first president in the inaugural year 1957 when Dr.H.K.Mahatab, eminent litterateur and historian happened to be the Chief Minister of Odisha .In the Silver Jubilee year Sri Surendra Mohanty ,the undisputed literary genius of Odia Literature Odisha has ever produced , much award winning novelist and famous literary critics, was the President of the Akademi chosen by Chief Minister Sri Janaki Ballabha Patnaik, himself an eminent litterateur to give full justice to the Silver Jubilee celebrations. The paltry budget of rupees Ten lakhs were enhanced to Twenty Five lakhs due to the persistence Of Surendra Mohanty and the week- long celebrations with involvement of the who’s who of Odia literature with all grandeur, pump and ceremony.
For the Golden Jubilee Function to be celebrated in 2007-08, Dipak Mishra , considering his stature and influence on the contemporary literary firmament, was chosen by the search committee for his second stint ,besides his earlier stint in 2004-05. As the golden Jubilee year president having Dr.Haraprasad Parichha Pattanaik as secretary of the Akademi ,visionary poet Dipak Mishra elated to embark upon an ambitious programme ,selecting important places throughout odisha where golden jubilee functions were to be organized, with involvement of local literati .In accordance with the chalked out programme , golden jubilee functions were held throughout the year at different places to popularize the different fields of odia literature , spreading a message that Sahity Akademi cares for Odia literature and the people of the state by marveling the contributions of writers at the grassroots. This attitude of the Sahitya Akademi celebration committee was appreciated by the literary fraternity and the Golden Jubilee celebrations at peripheral destinations worked wonders, elevating the small time writers, poets to the high pedestal of honuor , pride and glory.
On the second week of January in 2008, I have the honour and oppertunity of meeting Dipak sir in his Sahitya Akademi chamber at Sanskruti Bhawan, Bhubaneswar to invite him to be the Chief Guest in the Golden Jubilee function of my Alma mater –Samantasinghar Kelu Charan High School Patrapur , Aul ; but due to his prior appointments to attend the Silver Jubilee function of ‘Punarba’ Sahitya Sansad on 26.1.08 followed by the scheduled Sahitya Akademi golden jubilee function on 27.1.08 at Chendipada , politely declined to honour my request in the presence of Prof. Dr. Trithananda Mishra. Perhaps he was suffering from his affliction silently as the end came barely a fortnight after my memorable meeting with him .I cannot forget his affectionate call Gaura , all the while treating me as his younger brother (my elder brother Prof. Dr. Anirudh Roul happens a friend of sir). Way back in the formative year 1973, as the Kendrapara College Men’s Hostel Union General Secretary, I owe a deep gratitude to Dipak Sir, who had taken care to modify and correct my annual report to be presented in the annual function graced by eminent historian Dr. Bhabani Charan Ray, Prof. and Head of the History Department ,Berhampur University as Chief Guest.
Before embarking his 27th January Chendipada tour, he had attended the 26th annual function of “Punarba” sahitya sansada which was inaugurated way back in 1982 by its patron, Dipak Mishra sir at Kendrapara on 26.1.2008. Perhaps this hectic itinerary of Dipak sir as the Academi President caused the toll on him. The Chendipada tour from 26.1.08(afternoon) to 28th January, enabled him to grace the 5th annual function of the Chendipada Sarasatwa Sahitya Sansad followed by the State Sahitya Akademi Golden Jubilee day long function .He had no rest; on return from Chendipada,a distance of 250 Km from Bhubaneswar, he attended the scheduled meeting of Odia Bhasha Pratisthan on 28th January from 3.30 PM to 7.30 PM despite his failing health.
During his return journey from Anugul on 28th morning, sir expressed his desire to hold a Golden Jubilee Function at Pattamundai and asked his companion in the Akademi car Poet Sri Madhusudan Dash, who happened to be the Block Development Officer of Pattamundai to make arrangements for the function and organize a follow up tour for the literary fraternity to the Bhitarkanika National Park(Wetland of International importance) to be captivated, and inspired in furtherance of their literary pursuits .But ,who knows that he was at the threshold of Swarga Dwara ; and the ice hand of death was in await . He returned on the next day to Kendrapara running high temperature with swelling of feet. On 30th the Saheed Divas was celebrated commemorating the contributions and virtues of Mahatma Gandhi the father of the Nation as usual in customary and grateful manner, but father like figure of modern odia poetry, who has dedicated and sacrificed his life in furtherance of Odia literature, suffered a massive cardiac arrest and was shifted to Kendrapara District Hospital at 5.30 PM and the end came at 6.30 PM, despite his tearful and heart wrenching ardent prayers to Lord Baldebjew , to grant him a fresh lease of life ,whose temple existing in the neighborhood- a stone’s throw away from his home ‘Arana Mahinshi’ - a modest but elegant edifice built in the Zamindari style .
His sudden departure was a bolt from the blue as he was very active in discharging his responsibilities to his last, and it unleashed a shock wave throughout the state of Odisha and left the literary fraternity shell shocked to find for words. Poet Dipak Mishra was no ordinary man, being the incumbent president of State Sahitya Akademi , it was felt necessary to bring his dead body from Kendrapara to the Akademi office in Sanskriti Bhawan complex ,Bhubaneswar to offer him the last respect and state honour. Even in his death, his magnetic and mesmerizing personality had drawn the entire literati fraternity to the Sanskrit Bhawan complex to pay last respect to their departing president. Similarly at the Swargadwarat Puri, a large gathering of who’s who of Odia literature waited in baited breath to bid a tearful farewell to their Akademi President who had left them for his ultimate destination-Heaven.
Quoting an unknown vagrant, who remarked unwittingly but poetically at Swargadwar –“EIA JIEA MARIGALA, SHEA JANE KABI THILA”(That man laid at rest, ,was a poet ! ) ,Dr. Haraprasad Parichha Pattanayak ,the then secretary Sahitya Akademi capturing that utterance, wrote in his tribute -the entire mourners ,writers, poets ,and educationist gathered at Swargadwar were stupefied at this profound utterance of a common onlooker , so succinctly summed up in a simple one liner but in most emphatic and poetic fashion to be conjured with for years.
Only fate could have written such a fitting tribute to the great poet-That man laid to rest, was a poet! Such a fitting tribute, simple yet rich, just like his life and work!
Gouranga Charan Roul (gcroul.roul@gmail.com)
The author, after completing post graduate studies in political science from Utkal University, Odisha in 1975, worked as a senior intelligence sleuth in the department of Customs, Central Excise & Service Tax and retired as senior superintendent. As a staunch association activist, he used to hold chief executive posts either as General Secretary or President of All India Central Excise Gazetted Executive Officer's Association, Odisha for 20 years. Presently in the capacity of President of Retired Central Excise Gazetted Executive Officer's Association, Odisha, coordinating the social welfare schemes of the Association. Being a voracious reader, taking keen interest in the history of India, Africa, Europe and America. In his globe tottering spree, widely travelled America and Africa. At times contributing articles to various magazines.
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