English
Upendrakishore Das was born in 1901 at Cuttack in a cultured aristocratic family. His father, grandfather and great grandfather served under the British as Deputy Collectors in the early period of their rule in odisha. While he was a student of B.A. degree Class in Ravenshaw College, Cuttack, he plunged into the non-cooperation movement. As a devoted political worker he engaged himself in the socio-political activities in rural areas for ten years from 1921 to 1931. But Upendrakishore by temperament was an artist since his childhood, and as such was inclined to art and poetry.
Gradually the artist in him gained the upper hand and he became apathetic to social activities in the villages. He forsook the social services and returned He spent the rest of his life at Cuttack like a real artist, completely engaged in clay modelling, painting, writing poems, songs and stories. Besides these, he took great interest in gardening and had a small aviary at home. In pursuit of his artistic tastes and inclination he sacrificed his vast property unhesitatingly.
His first composition, a poem, was published in the Paricharika edited by his mother. Afterwards he got interested in writing short stories. Some of his short stories appeared in the famous journal Baruni in 1926, edited and published by his family members. In this journal his notable work Mala Janha (The fading Moon) also appeared serially. Soon after these articles were published Upendrakishore created a stir among the reading public as an able story writer.
In later years Upendrakishore wrote stories for the children and this contributed to the growth of
children’s literature. Alibaba, Kaunri Deshare Gouri may be mentioned in connection with these writings for children. The last named book was written in imitation of Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll.
The last part of his life was spent in research activities and in translating Sanskrit works such as
Meghaduta, Gitagovinda and Bhagvata Gita. He sought to establish a research institute named Prachya
Vidya Samiti for the publication of ancient works of literature. In pursuit of this he made prose rendering of Vishnu Purana and Shrimad Bhagvata. These works were of literary value, but have not unfortunately seen the light of the day.
Odia Books By Upendrakishore Das
Meghaduta
Gitagovinda
Alibaba
Kaunri Deshare Gouri
Mala Janha
Magazine
Paricharika
Baruni
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