Laxmikanta Mohapatra

Laxmikanta Mohapatra (9 December 1888 – 24 February 1953) was an Indian Odia poet, writer, performance artist, and freedom fighter. He authored more than ten published works. Mohapatra was a prominent campaigner in the Odisha State Unification Movement and an active member of the Utkala Sammilani.

Kantakabi Laxmikanta Mohapatra
Mohapatra on a 2023 stamp of India
Born	Laxmikaanth Mahapatra (1888-12-09)9 December 1888[1] Bakhrabad Talapada,Tihidi Bhadrak, Odisha, India[2]
Died	24 February 1953(1953-02-24) (aged 64)[1] Bhadrak
Education	Bachelor of Arts
Alma mater	PION College, University of Ravenshaw
Notable works	Bande Utkala Janani
Spouse	Labangalata Das
Children	Nityananda Mohapatra , Goura Chandra Mohapatra (Son)[3][4]
Parents	Choudhary Bhagabat Prasad Samantaray Mohapatra and Radhamani Devi

Early life and family

Laxmikanta was born on 9 December 1888 in Talapada, Tihidi block of Bhadrak district. His father, Zamindar Choudhary Bhagabat Prasad Samantaray Mohapatra, and his mother, Radhamani Devi, belonged to Talapada village in Bhadrak district, which at that time formed part of the Bengal Presidency. His father represented the Bihar and Orissa Legislative Council four times and served twice as its deputy speaker.

Laxmikanta spent much of his childhood at his maternal uncle's house and received his early education in Balasore. After completing his intermediate studies, he joined Pion College in Kolkata for higher education. In 1913, he returned to Ravenshaw College and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree.^[4]

He married Labanga Lata, the daughter of Zamindar Lalmohan Das.

At an early stage of his career, Laxmikanta contracted leprosy, which limited his physical mobility. Nevertheless, he continued to remain active in the literary sphere.

Literary life

Laxmikanta wrote in a wide range of genres, including drama, parody, poetry, short stories, and novels. His literary style reflected nationalistic fervour and sharp satire. He was among the writers who made significant contributions to Odia literature at a time when its survival was considered threatened.^[5]

As a political critic, his sharp commentary on politicians and feudal chiefs earned him an adverse reputation. He was also active as a musician and actor, and contributed to the tradition of performing arts in Odisha. He established a dramatic troupe named Gopinath Natya Samaj in his native village.^[6]

Kantakabi's songs such as Bande Utkala Janani, Koti Koti Kanthe Aji, and Udaee Nisana Bajai Veri became rallying cries for Odia freedom fighters during the independence movement and the campaign for a separate state. His composition Bande Utkala Janani was adopted as the welcome song for the Balasore session of the Utkal Sammilani, the organisation that spearheaded the movement for the formation of Odisha as a separate province. In 2020, the song was accorded the status of the state anthem of Odisha.

Published works

Mohapatra Statue in Bhubaneswar

Novel

• Kana Mamu

Short stories

• Budha Sankhari

Mythological works

• Basanta Bilasa
• Baruna Bijaya
• Kaliyadalana
• Brajabarjana
• Besabadala

Plays

• Karna
• Kalapahada
• Chandraahasa

Children's literature

• Chidiakhana
• Dharma Sangeeta
• Balachara
• Sunapua
• Mo Desa

Essays

• Keisora Swapna
• Joubana Pathe
• Nibhruta Nisithe
• Jibanta Maran

Mohapatra also edited a journal titled Dagara, which featured articles across diverse genres, including satire, children's stories, and political and social criticism.