Laxmikanta Mohapatra


Laxmikanta Mohapatra was an Indian Odia poet, writer, performance artist, and freedom fighter. He authored more than ten published works. Mohapatra was a prominent campaigner in the Odisha State Unification Movement and an active member of the Utkala Sammilani.

Early life and family

Laxmikanta was born on 9 December 1888 in a Zamindar Karan family at Talapada, Tihidi block of Bhadrak district. His father, Zamindar Choudhury Bhagabat Prasad Samantaray Mohapatra, and his mother, Radhamani Devi, belonged to Talapada village in Bhadrak district, which at that time formed part of the Bengal Presidency. His father represented the Bihar and Orissa Legislative Council four times and served twice as its deputy speaker.
Laxmikanta spent much of his childhood at his maternal uncle's house and received his early education in Balasore. After completing his intermediate studies, he joined Pion College in Kolkata for higher education. In 1913, he returned to Ravenshaw College and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree.
He married Labanga Lata, the daughter of Zamindar Lalmohan Das.
At an early stage of his career, Laxmikanta contracted leprosy, which limited his physical mobility. Nevertheless, he continued to remain active in the literary sphere.

Literary life

Laxmikanta wrote in a wide range of genres, including drama, parody, poetry, short stories, and novels. His literary style reflected nationalistic fervour and sharp satire. He was among the writers who made significant contributions to Odia literature at a time when its survival was considered threatened.
As a political critic, his sharp commentary on politicians and feudal chiefs earned him an adverse reputation. He was also active as a musician and actor, and contributed to the tradition of performing arts in Odisha. He established a dramatic troupe named Gopinath Natya Samaj in his native village.
Kantakabi's songs such as,, and became rallying cries for Odia freedom fighters during the independence movement and the campaign for a separate state. His composition Bande Utkala Janani was adopted as the welcome song for the Balasore session of the Utkal Sammilani, the organisation that spearheaded the movement for the formation of Odisha as a separate province. In 2020, the song was accorded the status of the state anthem of Odisha.

Published works

Novel

  • ''Kana Mamu''

Short stories

  • ''Budha Sankhari''

Mythological works

Basanta BilasaBaruna BijayaKaliyadalanaBrajabarjana
  • ''Besabadala''

Plays

KarnaKalapahada
  • ''Chandraahasa''

Children's literature

ChidiakhanaDharma SangeetaBalacharaSunapua
  • ''Mo Desa''

Essays

Keisora SwapnaJoubana PatheNibhruta NisitheJibanta Maran
Mohapatra also edited a journal titled Dagara, which featured articles across diverse genres, including satire, children's stories, and political and social criticism.