Gangadhar Meher
A commemorative postage stamp on Swabhaba Kabi Gangadhar Meher [part of the series ‘Legendary Poets of Odisha‘] :
Issued by India
Issued on Feb 20, 2024
Issued for : When the country is entering into the Amrit Kaal, honouring the life and work of our legendary poets like Bhima Bhoi and Gangadhar Meher is an inspiration to youngsters and motivates them to take pride in our rich cultural heritage.
Department of Posts is delighted to issue a miniature sheet on legendary poets of Odisha and salute the life and work of Bhima Bhoi and Gangadhar Meher.
Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Shri Brahm Prakash
Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition
Colour : Multi Colour
Denomination : 1000 Paise
Souvenir Sheet Price : 2000 Paise
Souvenir Sheets Printed : 1.11 Lakh
Printing Process : Wet Offset
Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad
Name : Gangadhara Meher
Born on 9 Aug 1862 at Barpali, Bargarh, Odisha, India
Died on 4 Apr 1924
About :
- The culture of Odisha is characterized by its rich heritage of classical arts, temple architecture, traditional music and devotion. Its tapestry of history is woven by a number of unsung cultural heroes resulting in diverse and vibrant artistic tradition.
- Gangadhar Meher was born on 9th August, 1862 on Sravana Purnima at Barapalli, of present-day Bargarh District of Odisha. He was born in a weaver family and educated upto 5th class. His father Chaitanya Meher was working as a village Vaidya (Ayurvedic doctor) besides his family profession of weaving. At the age of 10, he got married to Shanta Devi.
- In spite of his little education, he had read a good number of books like Raguvamsham in Sanskrit, Tulasi Ramayana in Awadhi, etc. and mastered them. He was also able to read Bengali magazines and newspapers. Due to the pecuniary condition of his family, Gangadhar Meher used to go to school in the morning and helped his father in weaving in the afternoon. His clear and beautiful handwriting also garnered attention from many people willing to get their writings transcribed by him.
- The then Zamindar of Barapalli offered him the post of an Amin (Patwari). Coming to learn of amicable behaviour and good virtues of Gangadhar, the Zamindar promoted him to the post of a Moharir. He continued to serve in the said post and was transferred to Sambalpur, Bijepur and Padampur and at last he was transferred to his native place Barapalli on a salary of Rs. 30/- per month.
- Gangadhar started composing poems from a very tender age. His first writings follow the style and technique of the ancient Odia writers. His first poetic work was ‘Rasa Ratnakara’. Then, being persuaded by some friends he changed his ways and wrote poems in the modern Odia style. The works produced by Gangadhar Meher are marked by vivid imagination, in beauty and clarity of language, in the novelty of style, in point of forceful character painting and in the lively description of nature from different perspective. His writings remain as some of the greatest creations in the Odia literature.
- The popularity of his literary creations is due to his narration of the beauty of the nature. He was also the messenger of Upendra Bhanja’s style and ideals. Just like Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja, his poems are replete with high ornamental words, unique composition style, using in befitting cases, similes, metaphors and appropriate words. His poems are sonorous in the rhythm of words and languages.
- His poetic creations include Pranaya Ballari, Kichaka Badh, Indumati, Utkal Laxmi, Ayodhya Drusya, Kabita Kallola, Arghya Thali, Ahalya Staba, Mahima, Bharati Bhabana, Kumara Janmotsav, Bhakti Upahar, Padmini, Kabita Mala and Krushaka Sangita. His Prose creations include Atma Jeevani, Shri Nruparaj Singh, Purana Kabi Fakir Mohan, Swargiya Kashinath Panda, Ehaki Pruthibira Sabda, Sikshit, Ashikshit & Sikshyabhimanini.
- The great poet of Odia literature Gangadhar Meher breathed his last on 4th April, 1924.
- Text : Based on Information received from the proponent.
