Ramesh Chandra Bhanja
| Ramesh Chandra Bhanja | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Ramaa 17th April 1940 Haladia, Khordha |
| Died |
18 March 2015 (76 years) Khordha |
| Cause of death | Parkinson's disease |
| Residence | Budhibagicha, Samantarapur, Khordha |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Citizenship | Indian |
| Education | M.A.(Odia), B.Ed. |
| Alma mater |
School: Barendra Krushna Bidyapitha, Banki (Cuttack) College: Christ College; Ravenshaw College, Cuttack |
| Occupation | Teacher & Teacher educator |
| Employer | Govt. of Odisha |
| Organization | Department of Education |
| Known for | Children Literature, Teacher |
| Notable work |
Poem & Short story Collections "Gapa Ganthili" (short story collection for children) that won Sahitya Academy Award in 1982 |
| Style | Captivating Lyrical Poems & Stories for young readers/audience |
| Home town | Garh Haladia (Khordha) |
| Spouse(s) | Smt. Binodinee Bhanja |
| Children | 3 Sons, 2 Daughters |
| Parent(s) |
Father : Late Dinabandhu Bhanja Mother : Late Chandrabali Devi |
| Relatives | Brothers : Suresh Chandra Bhanja, Kailash Chandra Bhanja |
| Awards | Odisha Sahitya Academy Award 1982 |
Ramesh Bhanja was a multifaceted creative talent. He was a writer, a teacher, an educationist, a linguist, a historian, an editor, a dramatist, a painter/artist all clubbed into one persona. In literature circle Mr. Bhanja was a prominent Odia writer/poet, very well known for his lyrical poems and, especially for his writings for children. He has many short-story & poetry collections for children of all age groups. For his book Gapa Ganthili (short story compilation) he received the prestigious Sahitya Academy Award from Government of Odisha.[1]
Early life and family
Ramesh Ch Bhanja was born in a Kshyatriya family in ‘Garh Haladia’ village in Khordha district (erstwhile Puri district). He belongs to the lineage of ‘Bhanja Kings’ who were erstwhile rulers of Ghumusara (Ganjam district), Kendujhar (Keonjhar district) and Baripada (Mayurbhanj district). ‘Kavi Samrat Upendra Bhanja’ (ଉପେନ୍ଦ୍ର ଭଞ୍ଜ - king of poets) is his ancestor. His own family consists of his wife, 3 sons and 2 daughters.
Sri Bhanja’s early education (primary schooling) started in his native village ‘Garh Haladia’. After the ‘Middle English’ (ମାଇନର୍) level, he left for Banki (in Cuttack district) for his high school education. After high school, he moved to Cuttack for college education. There too he started his early professional career.
Books
- Kathi Kuta Patara (Poem Collection), April 1980
- Bheri Toori Mahuri (Poem Collection), April 1980
- Gapa Ganthili (Story collection), January 1981
- Katha Kothali (Story Collection), December 1981
- Muthaey Mahak (Story collection), December 1982
- Katha Kahuchi Suna (Story Collection), October 2013
Awards and honors
- Odisha Sahitya Academy Award (Bhubaneshwar), 1982
- Vishub Puraskar (by Prajatantra Prachar Samity, Cuttack), 2003
- Odia Children’s Literature Award (by Kala Vikash Kendra, Cuttack),
- Khadi & Gamyodyog Literature Award (by Odisha Khadi & Gamyodyog Board, Bhubaneshwar),
- Harekrishna Shishu Sahitya Puraskar by Fakir Mohan Sahitya Parisshad (Baleshwar), 1996
- Jnana Jyoti Puraskar by Koradha Vishuv Milan (Khordha), 2011
- Bhubaneswar Pustak Mela Puraskar for Children’s Literature (for the book KathA Kahuchi SuNa : କଥା କହୁଛି ଶୁଣ), 2014 … and many more
References