Bhubaneswarm Dec, 12:: Kantakabi Laxmikanta Mohapatra, the creator of Odisha’s state anthem “Bande Utkala Janani,” was a freedom fighter, literary scholar, and editor.
To inspire people toward nationalism, Kantakabi Mohapatra used the power of his pen. He wrote stories, novels, plays, and poems. Influenced by the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi, he actively participated in India’s freedom struggle. The Salt Satyagraha of 1930 had a profound impact on his life. During this period, he dedicated himself to writing patriotic songs and poems that encouraged common people to join the national movement and strengthened the spirit of patriotism among them.
Kantakabi’s patriotic poems helped unite people. He used poetry as his weapon to motivate citizens to fight against the British and achieve independence. His writings consistently reflect deep love for the nation and society. Along with poetry, he authored several novels, satirical works, and short stories. He was also the founding editor of the monthly literary magazine “Dagara.”
For his unmatched contribution to promoting Odia language and literature and inspiring patriotism in the hearts of Odias, he remains immortal in the collective memory of the people.
On the occasion of Kantakabi Laxmikanta Mohapatra’s birth anniversary, Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, Speaker Smt. Surama Padhy, Deputy Chief Ministers Kanak Vardhan Singhdeo and Smt. Pravati Parida, Deputy Speaker Shri Bhawanishankar Bhoi, Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Shri Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia, Government Chief Whip Shri Saroj Kumar Pradhan, Deputy Chief Whip Shri Gobinda Chandra Das, MLAs Shri Babu Singh, Shri Fakir Nayak and Shri Raghunath Machh, and Assembly Secretary Shri Satyabrata Raut, along with many other dignitaries, paid floral tributes at the statue of Kantakabi Laxmikanta Mohapatra located beside the Assembly