Odia Books

Bisnu Dasa was born in 1575,he was the poet of the medieval ages. His parentage as well the place of birth are not known. Nevertheless, from references in a Kavya, Lilabati (so far unpublished) by Raghunatha Harichandana (1580-1610), vassal Prince of Banapura, it has been inferred that he was the court-poet of Banapura. This prince, a lover of literature, had in his court a galaxy of writers including Bisnu Dasa, who had ‘filled the whole world’, as it were, with his poetry.

The prince learnt the art of poetical composition from Bisnu Dasa, who was an erudite scholar of Sanskrit Kavya and poetics, a fact very clearly borne out by the standard of excellence in his works. Another vassal Prince, Kunjabihari Bhramarabara of Dhenkanala (1650-1670), mentions in his Kavya Premasila (also unpublished) that his poetry would surpass the poetic glory of Bisnu Dasa and other poets of his rank.

Bisnu Das’s Sabitri Charita (Second edition, 1950, Chakradhara Mahapatra) is a Kavya in seven cantos
celebrating the popular theme of Sabitri and Satyaban. It is written in the usual Puranic style. But
Premalochana, an Akhyayika Kavya of 20 cantos which is his major work bears clear traces of his poetic power. In respect of theme, this kavya is a depiction of the love affairs between Princess Premalochana and Prince Sudhakara. They were introduced to each other through the good offices of a goose, and got married later. In this respect, it has borrowed ideas from Sanskrit kavyas, particularly, Naisadhiya Charita, as well as similar earlier odia Kavyas.

The author has experimented with the ornate style of the traditional pattern peculiar to the Naisadhiya Charita. In comparison with the earlier Akhyayika Kavyas, the diction of Premalochana has become more alliterative. The depiction is punctuated with more uncommon similies, metaphors and hyperboles. The style shows a transition from the simple Puranic approach appealing directly to the heart, to the more complicated verbose style of courtly poetry calling for greater intellectual exercises.

In other words, Bisnu Dasa’s Premalochana ushers in a new era of odia poetry, the courtly Riti Kavyas of more than two centuries to follow. Bisnu Dasa’s other works include a fairly large number of Chautisas including Sumukhi Chautisa (Prachi, 1931), Barsabhabana Chautisa (Prachi, 1931), Mandakini-Chautisa (Prachi, 1931), Ksetrabiraha Chautisa (1978) and Sandesa Chautisa (1979).

Odia Books By Bisnu Das

Sabitri Charita
Premalochana
Akhyayika Kavya
Naisadhiya Charita

Chautisas

Sumukhi Chautisa
Barsabhabana Chautisa
Mandakini-Chautisa
Ksetrabiraha Chautisa
Sandesa Chautisa