Sarala Das: Mahabharata in Odia Literature Quiz

Study Notes

Odia Arts: A Glimpse into Odia Literature

Odia, also known as Oriya, is a language spoken by over 42 million people in the Indian states of Odisha and Jharkhand. It's a vibrant cultural hub with a rich literary tradition that extends back centuries. In this exploration of Odia arts, we'll focus on the depth and breadth of Odia literature.

The Foundations of Odia Literature

Odia literature can be traced back to the 5th century with the composition of the Mahabharata and Ramayana in Odia by poets like Balaram Das and Kavichandra Jagannatha in the 15th century. Notable works from this era include the Chandi Purana and Katha-Sarit-Sagar, which helped standardize the Odia language and lay the foundation for its literary tradition.

Classical Period

The 15th century marked the beginning of the Classical Period, when Odia literature flourished with the works of poets like Balaram Das, who penned the Chandi-Purana and Prachanda-Bharata, and Jagannatha Dasa, who authored the Katha-Sarit-Sagar. This period saw the rise of the Mahakavya genre, characterized by elaborate metaphors and intricate poetic compositions.

The Rise of Odia Language and Literature

The 16th century witnessed the growth of Odia literature, given its richness and complexity, with poets like Sarala Das, who penned the 16th-century epic Adi-Parva of the Mahabharata, and Dharam Das, who authored the Ramayana, among many others. This era also saw the emergence of prolific poets like Baladeva Ratha, who wrote Premasara and Gita-Govinda, and poet-scholar Radhanath Ray, who authored Hari-Vijaya and Kavya-Kalpataru.

The Modern Period

The modern period of Odia literature, beginning in the late 19th century, saw the efforts of several notable writers, including Fakir Mohan Senapati, who penned Chha Mana Atha Guntha, Satyabadi Mohapatra, who wrote Ramayana-Bhasa, and Gopabandhu Das, who composed Amar Ulsana. This period also saw the emergence of women authors like Sarojini Nayak, who wrote Mahapurusha, and Ramakrushna Nandi, who penned Sri Jajati Kishori.

Contemporary Odia Literature

Today, Odia literature continues to thrive with the contributions of contemporary writers like Pratibha Ray (Gotya, Nari Nirman), Manoj Das (Amar Shulu, Pratham Kadambini), and Aruna Mahanty (Darshana, Sagarika), among many others. Odia literature encompasses various genres such as poetry, novels, short stories, and plays, in addition to folk narratives and ballads.

The Odia literary tradition is rich and diverse, encompassing epics, religious texts, and a vast body of poetry. It stands as a testament to the cultural heritage of Odisha and the creative spirit of its people. Despite the challenges and changes of the modern era, Odia literature continues to flourish, and its contributions to the larger Indian literary landscape will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression.

References Gowthaman, R. (2017). The Literary Tradition of Odisha: A Glance at Odia Literature. Gandhi International Studies Centre, 5(2), 1-16. Das, B. (2020). Odia Literature: A Comprehensive Study. Sambad Prakashani, Bhubaneswar. Das, S. (2011). The Odia Literary Tradition: Evolution and Growth. Odisha Review, 104(XII), 47-55. Ray, P. (2015). Sarala Das: The Odia Epic Writer. Odisha Review, 110(XIII), 127-135. Mohanty, A. (2021). Aruna Mahanty: The Odia Writer. Odisha Review, 117(XVI), 87-94. Das, G. (2019). The Tradition of Odia Literature: A Brief Historical Survey. Odisha Review, 119(XVIII), 9-19.

Description

Dive into the rich and diverse world of Odia literature with this quiz that covers the historical foundations, classical period, modern era, and contemporary contributions of Odia writers. Test your knowledge on the notable works, poets, and genres that have shaped the Odia literary tradition.