Odia Books

Gopalballav Das was born in 1860,He was the younger brother of Utkal Gaurab Madhusudan Das, one of the patriots and founders of the modern State of Orissa. His father was Raghunath Das and mother, Parvati Devi. Having passed M.A. examination from Calcutta University, he was appointed a Deputy Magistrate by the Government, the most covetable job for any Indian in those days under the English ruler. When the minor king of Keonjhar was installed on the thronej Gopalballav Das worked as superintedent of that State.

It was during his stay at Keonjhar that he came in contact with the tribal communities and wrote his only and now available novel Bhima Bhuniya. If not for anything else. Gopalballav Das is well remembered for this novel alone.

By temperament he was a traditionalist. He wrote poetical works like Usha, Taraksamhar and Konark
and he is credited with the composition of several lyrics. The odia novel as a literary phenomenon was a thing of the closing years of the nineteenth century and of the beginning of the twentieth.

The novel in the proper sense was introduced by Fakirmohan Senapati towards the close of the nineteenth century and Gopalballav Das was one among those who practised the art of writing novels and in the process he wrote the novel Bhima Bhuniya (written in 1896 and first published in Sept. 1908 from Edward Press, Cuttack) which has a unique theme in that it is based on the life and society of the Bhuniyas of Keonjhar.

Bhuniyas are the primitive tribe living in the region surrounded by dense forests and mountains. Through the ages these primitive people are known for their simple and unsophisticated way of life, their adherence to tradition and heritage, their loyalty and commitment to the village community system, their marriage system, the sense of chastity of their woman, their love for adventure and romance.

Such a theme whether real or imaginary, served only as a large canvas on which this novelist could depict the social and romance-oriented life of two Bhuniya youths. In a Bhuniya village, Sadhu Sardar had two sons Banasura and Bhima and in the same locality there was Til Sardar whose only darling daughter Chinamali was attracted towards both Banasura and Bhima.

Ultimately Chinamali was given in marriage to the elder brother Banasura according to the decision of both the parents. The development in the plot strikes a note of conflict in which agony-driven Bhima leaves his village and despite his father’s desire joins the court of Raja Jagadeva in the company of Sri Chandrasekhar Pattanaik, the Palace manager. There developed at this time anarchy and oppression in the principality, and in the royal conflict Bhima fell from the favour of the Raja and fled to the Marda Raja’s principality and was able to draw the attention of the Marda Raja.

Chandrasekhar Pattanaik also joined him there. A fierce battle took place between Raja Jagadeva and Raja Harichandan, the Marda Raj. In the fight Raja Jagadeva was miserably defeated at the hands of Bhima who demonstrated extra-ordinary valour in the fight.Bhima for his courage is rewarded with the title ‘Ranjit’ and each victorious soldier was to kill five prisoners of war. To Bhima’s lot also there were five priosoners including his father and brother. In such a situation, Bhima was confronted with a mental conflict.

But Bhima later on managed to collect two heads and this design escaped the notice of the Raja, who subsequently fell ill and all efforts to cure him were of no avail. At this critical juncture, Bhima managed to get the Raja treated by his father and the Raja was cured. The Raja now praised the old man not knowing that he was the father of Bhima. He honoured the old man with some valuable gifts and, when the royal servant proceeded to present the royal honour to the old man.

The king at once recognised the identity of Bhima and his father. Having, come to know of this secret design, the Raja flew into a rage and ordered that the life of the old man be spared as he had cured the Raja but, one of the two sons of the old man that is, Banasura and Bhima would be killed and the choice was to be indicated by the father. The old father was caught in a severe mental conflict as to Which son he would sacrifice. Unable to indicate his choice he only wept and soon fell unconscious. At this Bhima himself offered his head and bravely proceeded toward the executioner.

In this tense situation of pathos and agony the daughter of the Raja who was previously enamoured of Bhima appeared on the scene and implored her father to spare the life of Bhima and her wish was granted. Bhima was thus saved. The next development in the theme is marked by mutual attraction of romance and love between the daughter of the Raja and Bhima,which never saw fulfilment.

Both the princess and Bhima chose to remain in isolation and pursue a life of sublimation of passion and love. Bhima lived in Brindaban. Years after they met each other but their love was marked by pathos and agony. The princess has emerged as a remarkably gracious, virtuous, noble soul inspired by ideals of chastity, womanhood and sacrifice, projecting a tragic vision of love.

The theme in the novel is a kind of idealistic romanticised love. The prose is overladden with Sanskrit words, difficult phrases and proverbs. The style is ornamental, pedantic and tense. The author is more interested in holding up the social customs, belief and brave qualities of the Bhuniya tribe.

Usha
Taraksamhar
Konark