Pandit Nilakantha Das is one of the makers of modern Odisha. He was a versatile genius and a multifaceted personality. Although he is acclaimed as a great politician, few are aware of the great niche he has carved for himself in the field of literature. In the words of late Dr Mayadhar Mansingh, "Pandit Nilakantha may be forgotten as a politician, but Pandit Nilakantha as a litterateur will be immortal."
I find a strange difference in the topics covered in this book, i.e., the one prepared prior to 1936 and those prepared after Odisha was made a separate state on linguistic basis. Since he had the one-point programme of making Odisha a separate state, his speeches and memoranda contained in this book were all aimed at appraising the British- India Government of his pain and agonies for the loss of identity of the Odia speaking people who once upon a time were basking in the glories of the prosperous and affluent Kalinga empire. On the contrary, his research papers are intended to impress upon the people of Odisha about their glorious ancestry, rich language, great culture and the unique cult of Lord Jagannath, for which they should be proud of. Pandit Das had immense love for his language and culture, for which he was genuinely proud of. But his love was never out of mere faith or belief. In order to substantiate his claim, he has plunged into the past history of Odisha and the Kalinga empire to gather concrete proof in favour of his convictions. He has traced the origin, history and evolution of the same not only to get himself convinced about the great heritage and culture, but to rightly inculcate the same feeling in the minds of Odia people.
When Dr Purnendu Kumar Das, General Secretary, Pandit Nilakantha Smruti Samiti brought these termite-eaten old documents to my notice, it appeared to me as a viewing window through which the readers could glance the glorious state of Odia language and culture during the last two millennia. I realised the values of these documents and wanted to bring out this volume to impress upon the coming generation that being an Odia, they are a product of this rich heritage and culture. My sincere thanks are due to Dr Purnendu Kumar Das for submitting all the documents to Orissa Museum for publication of this book. I am also indebted to Prof Mathura Nath Das, Retired Professor of English who unhesitatingly agreed to compile and edit the manuscript for publication.
Hindu (935)
Agriculture (118)
Ancient (1086)
Archaeology (753)
Architecture (563)
Art & Culture (910)
Biography (702)
Buddhist (544)
Cookery (167)
Emperor & Queen (565)
Islam (242)
Jainism (307)
Literary (896)
Mahatma Gandhi (372)
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