Odia Books

Mayadhara Manasingha was born in 1905,he is an eminent poet, playwright and critic, was educated at Ravenshaw College, passed M.A. in English from Patna University and obtained Ph.D. degree from Edinburgh University (U.K.). He worked as a College teacher, Educational Adviser for the Eastern States, Inspector of Schools, and as Principal in various Colleges of odisha. He edited a literary journal called Samkha.

He was the chief compiler of the odia encyclopaedia, odia gyanakosha. His first poem, ‘Konark’,
appeared in Baroni in 1926. His most well-known collection of love lyrics, Dhupa (Incense, 1931) bears testimony to his poetic genius. Hemashasya (Golden crops, 1933) and Hemapushpa (Golden flowers, 1935) treat of love and are both sensuous and idealistic. Another notable collection of poems, Matibani (The voice of the soil), depicts beautiful scenes of the rural odisha.

Baputarpana indicates the poet’s sincere love and regard for Gandhiji. Jiban chita (Pyre of life, 1947) projects the mysteries of inner life. Swarajya ashrama contains some beautiful satires based on the post-Independence times. His collections of sonnets like Akshata (The unbroken) and Krusha (The cross, 1956) reveal the metaphysical experiences of the poet.

Besides these, he wrote a number of poems which found place in his complete works under the titles of Sedinar kabita (The poems of the bygone days), Kishora kabita (Poems, of youth) and Bindu O sindhu (The drop and the sea, 1962). Mansingha also wrote some fine kavyas like Jema (1947), Sadhaba jhia (1946) and Kamalayna (1947). The first one deals with the tragic life of a widow, the second one centres around the folklore of Taapoi, a legendary daughter of a Sadbaba (the Sadhabas are a traditional business community in odisha).

Kamalyana is written in the epic style and depicts the problems of pre- and post-Independnce India, through the life sketches of Kamala, the hero and Karuna, the heroine. Mayadhar Manasingha wrote poetic plays,such as Rajakabi Upendra (Upendra, the Poet Laureate, 1928), Pujarini (1932), Nasta nida (The spoiled nest, 1931), Buddha and Durbhiksha, Kabi o kabita (Poets and poems) and Matira mahakabi Saraladas(Sarala Das, the great poet of the land) are critical works of high order. Sikshabit’ra gatha (an autobiography) and Saraswati Fakirmohan are also remarkble for their style and approach.

Odia Books By Mayadhara Manasingha

Hemashasya
Hemapushpa
Matibani
Akshata

Poems

Sedinar Kabita
Kishora kabita
Bindu O Sindhu
Mansingha
Sadhaba Jhia

Poetic Plays

Rajakabi Upendra
Pujarini
Nasta Nida
Matira Mahakabi
Saraladas