BARGARH : Rich tributes were paid to 19th century poet Gangadhar Meher on the occasion of his 155th birth anniversary here on Monday. While a grand function was organised by Gangadhar Sahitya Parishad at his birthplace in Barpali, functions were also held across the region where speakers recalled the contribution of Meher to Odia literature At the event at Barpali, Dr Bauribandhu Kar and Ganeshram Nahak were awarded with Gangdhar Saraswat Samman and Gangadhar Pratibha Samman respectively.
In other events, speakers highlighted the achievements of Meher who was born in a poor weaver family and compared him with William Wordsworth, PB Shelly, Lord Byron and John Keats. Terming him as a literary Midas, the speakers stated that Meher’s devotional poems bear an eloquent testimony to the change in religious outlook.
Meher’s works include Pranaya Ballavi, Kichaka Badha, Indumati, Utkala Lakshmi, Ayodhya Drushya, Kabita Kallola, Bharati Bhabana, Arghya Thali, Kabita Mala, Krushaka Sangita, Kumara Janmotsav, Bhakti Upahar, Padmini besides his masterpiece Tapasvini. He is also widely known as Prakruti Kabi (poet of nature). Like Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja, his poetry is replete with ornamental words, unique composition style besides use of similes and metaphors.
Poet’s birth place to turn into tourist spot
Berhampur: The birth place of Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja at Kulada in Ganjam district will soon be developed into a tourist spot. Speaaking at an event here on Monday, Culture Minister Ashok Panda said the Tourism Department has sanctioned D50 lakh for the project. The minister was in the city to unveil the statue of Gangadhar Meher at Biju Sanskrutika Bhavan at Hillpatana to honour the legend on the eve of his150th birth anniversary. The State Government has decided to install the poet’s statue at revenue divisions across the State, he informed. Government has chalked out elaborate plans to boost the tourism infrastructure in the State, Panda said. Dignitaries including local MLA C Choupatnaik, Commissioner of Culture Department Manoranjan Panigrahy, Deputy Director of Tourism Department Sanghamitra Satpathy attended.