KABI CHANDRA KALI CHARAN PATTANAYAK

Sanjay Bhatt

Born on December 23, 1897, on the sacred occasion of Bakula Amavasya, in Khamaranga village on the outskirts of Banki town in Cuttack district, Kalicharan Pattnaik was destined to become one of the most luminous figures in Odia cultural history. He was born to Durga Charan Pattnaik and Radhamali Devi, in a household deeply rooted in tradition and learning.
Revered as the “Bharata Muni of modern Odia dramaturgy,” Kabichandra Kalicharan Pattnaik occupies a pre-eminent position as a playwright, lyricist, poet, Odissi musician, dance scholar, and cultural visionary. His contributions reshaped the foundations of Odia theatre, Odissi music, and Odissi dance, elevating them to national and international prominence.
Kalicharan Pattnaik began his artistic journey as a performer in traditional Lila plays. By the fourth decade of the twentieth century, he emerged as a leading force in modern Odia theatre, writing progressive stage plays and actively working toward their promotion and popularization. In 1929, he founded the Sakshigopal Natak Sangha, followed later by the establishment of Odisha Theatres, institutions that played a pivotal role in the expansion and professionalization of Odia theatre and acting.
His landmark play Girls School (1939) heralded a new era in Odia stage drama, both in theme and performance technique. Through his relentless scholarship and advocacy, Odissi dance was formally recognized as a classical dance form in 1958, a milestone achievement in India’s cultural history.
Alongside his artistic pursuits, Kalicharan Pattnaik also served society through formal education, taking up employment as a Sub-Inspector of Schools in Khandapara and Ganjam. In recognition of his extraordinary talent in drama, the Gajapati of Puri, Sri Rama Chandra Dev, conferred upon him the honorific title “Kabichandra” in 1927.
A recipient of numerous prestigious accolades, Kalicharan Pattnaik was honored with both the Central Sahitya Akademi Award and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. His achievements in cinema were equally noteworthy, earning him several national and international honors, including:
1962 National Award for Laxmi
1962 Certificate of Merit (EIMPA) for Laxmi
1965 National Award for Kaa
1968 National Award for Stree
1969 International Lions Award
1984 OFDC Award (Odisha Film Development Corporation)
1987 Jury Member, 5th International Children’s Film Festival
On July 24, 1978, this rare genius and towering cultural architect departed from the earthly realm, leaving behind an enduring legacy that continues to inspire generations of artists, scholars, and cultural enthusiasts.
Kalicharan Pattnaik remains a timeless symbol of Odisha’s artistic renaissance and intellectual brilliance.