‘Kantakabi Discourse’ Organised by Gabesana Parishada and Odia Bhasa Bikasha Andolana (OBBA)
Balasore, Oct 11 (Krushna Kumar Mohanty):
A literary symposium titled ‘Kantakabi Bimarsha’ was organised at Srasta Natyalaya Hall, Balasore, under the joint initiative of Gabesana Parishada and Odia Bhasa Bikasha Andolana (OBBA). The event was presided by Dr. Asit Mohanty, Vice-President of Gabesana Parishada.
In his address, Dr. Mohanty stated that Kantakabi Laxmikanta Mahapatra was not only a distinguished literary figure but also a freedom fighter, social worker, musician, actor, and editor who left an enduring legacy in Odisha’s cultural history. Dr. Choudhury Satyabrata Nanda, President of OBBA, delivered the welcome speech. He underlined Kantakabi’s strong sense of nationalism and explained how his poetry inspired freedom fighters, citing examples from his well-known works.
Dr. Gouranga Charan Dash, Secretary of Gabesana Parishada, spoke about the organisation’s various initiatives and highlighted the importance of revisiting Kantakabi’s literary and ideological contributions. OBBA’s Organising Secretary, Tapan Ray, delivered the introductory remarks.
In the first session, Dr. Shirish Chandra Jena and Dr. Laxmikanta Tripathy presented papers titled “Asahayogara Gumara Katha: Asahayogira Atmakatha” and “Kanamamura Adyaprant” respectively. Both speakers elaborated on the texts and engaged with the audience during an interactive discussion. The event opened with an invocation song on Gabesana Parishada, directed by Kalyani Nanda and rendered by Shantilata Panda, Shanti Bishi, Archana Kar, Basanti De, Kavita Jena, Amita Chand, Pushpalata Chakraborty, and Priyarani Mallik. Joint Secretary Jumarnath Patra invited the guests to the dais.
The second session, presided by Vice-President Nibarana Jena, featured addresses by Dr. Gobinda Bhuyan, Dr. Gourahari Mohanty, Dr. Surendra Mishra, and writer Sunanda Pradhan. Guest speakers Dr. Bhagabata Prasad Das, Aruna Ray, and Niranjan Raut also shared their reflections on Kantakabi’s life and works. A musical rendition of Kantakabi’s composition “Sabuthiru Banchita Kari” was performed. Poets, including Prabhakar Sahu, recited self-composed poems dedicated to Kantakabi. Poet Dipak Bose delivered the concluding speech and proposed the vote of thanks.
Among those present were Niranjan Sahu, Pradip Chatterjee, Sarat Kumar Mahapatra, Prof. Krushnachandra Pradhan, Dr. Shakyasinha Das, playwright Hemendra Mahapatra, Dr. Kshitishwar Dash, Dinabandhu Lenka, Prafulla Kumar Das, Urmila Nayak, Dipak Das, Lambodar Nayak, Bidyadhar Sahu, Kesu Das, Dr. Hemamala Das, Dr. Lakshman Charan Sahu, Gopal Jena, Rajanikanta Behera, Benudhar Sahu, Mamata Das, and Nirupama Sethi, along with many writers and intellectuals of Balasore.
