MOHANA SUNDAR DEV GOSWAMI:THE GREAT FOUNDER OF ODIA CINEMA

Sanjay Bhatt 

The Great founder of Odia cinema, the late Mohan Sundar Dev Goswami, was a true connoisseur of art and culture. Before venturing into Odia film production, Mohan Sundar propagated Odia language, literature, and culture through Rasleela. He was a multifaceted artist—playwright, lyricist, actor, singer, and musician—and had sung numerous bhajans and traditional songs.

Mohan Sundar’s birth name was Shyamsundar Dev Goswami. His elder sister, Ahladini, fondly called him "Mohan," a name that later became his identity. He popularised Rasleela beyond Odisha, and many eminent personalities, from Kavichandra Kalicharan to Odissi dance guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, began their artistic journeys with his Rasleela troupe, the Shri Radha Kunjabihari Rasleela Group. Despite his love for the arts, Mohan Goswami rarely watched films. However, by a twist of fate, he once saw the legendary Charlie Chaplin performing in a travelling cinema show. Deeply inspired, he decided to create a film in Odia.

The result was Sita Bibaha, the first-ever Odia film. This silent, black-and-white film became a landmark in Odisha’s cultural history. In honour of his remarkable contributions, the Mohan Sundar Dev Goswami Award has been instituted in the cinematic world.

Mohan Goswami passed away on 11th January 1948. On his death anniversary today, I pay my heartfelt tribute to this extraordinary visionary!