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Ramakrushna Nanda

ラマクリシュナ・ナンダ

Ramakrushna Nanda

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1906-02-15 （Bairoi, Cuttack District, Bengal Presidency, British India）
Died
1994-10-28 （Cuttack, Orissa, India） age 88
Nationality
Indian
Languages
Odia

Career

Occupations
Teacher, Writer, Children's author, Educator, Social worker, Lyricist
Active Years
1925-1994

Education

Ravenshaw Collegiate School, Cuttack
Degree: Matriculation
Country: British India
Contributed to the school magazine 'Chandrika' during his schooling.
Satyabadi Jatiya Bidyalaya
Country: British India
Reportedly learned Devnagiri script and other subjects here.
English-medium school / teacher training (unspecified)
Degree: B.Ed.
Country: India
Recorded to have received a bachelor of education, details not specified.

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Sahitya Sopana

1934 Textbook / Educational

An early Odia textbook including songs and poems, used as instructional material for children.

EducationChildren
Adaptations
  • [Song] Ahe Dayamaya Biswa Bihari

Jibana Taranga

1969 Prose / Children's literature

A collection of works reflecting on life and nature in simple language for children and general readers.

NatureLifeMorality

Tuntunira Bahi

1994 Children's literature

One of his late works for children, containing short stories and poems.

ChildrenPlayImagination

Lyric: Ahe Dayamaya Biswa Bihari

Devotional song

A devotional song reportedly favored by Mahatma Gandhi at the Sabarmati Ashram; included in textbooks and song collections.

DevotionPiety
Adaptations
  • [Film] Balidaan (1978)

Bibliography

  • Tulsidas (1930)
  • Tulsidas Dohabali (1931)
  • Pratidhwani (1933)
  • Sahitya Sopana (1934–1937)
  • Sahitya Bodha (1938)
  • Rachna Darpana (1940)
  • Patha Sopana (1944–1945)
  • Sangram O Sadhana (1936–1946)
  • Don Quixoti (Translation, 1948)
  • Bigyanara Kuhuka (1949)
  • Biswa Parichaya (Odia language compendium, 1962; 2nd ed. 1994)
  • Jibana Taranga (1969)
  • Jhumuka (1975)
  • Chaati Gacha series (1977–1984)
  • Oriya Sishu Sahitya and Sangita Sankalana (1982)
  • Prakurtira Galpapuri (1982)
  • Indradhanu (Translation, 1982)
  • Ama Bana Jangala Katha (Translation, 1983)
  • Ama Sarira (Translation, 1983)
  • Suna Pahacha (1984)
  • Ama Jatiya Pasu, Jatiya Pakhi (1984)
  • Ama Jatiya Pataka O Jatiya Sangita, Jatiya Puspa O Jatiya Pratika (1985)
  • Jibana Rahasya (1986)
  • Ratna Pakhuda (1988)
  • Satra Phula (1989)
  • Adekha Banara Phula (1989)
  • Pachatantra Kahani (1989)
  • Lekhanira Pathasala (1992)
  • Bhabi Dekhantu (1993)
  • Tuntunira Bahi (1994)

Adaptations

  • Song lyrics used in the film 'Balidaan' (1978)

Translations by Author

  • Don Quixoti (Translation of Don Quixote, 1948)
  • Indradhanu (Translation, 1982)
  • Ama Bana Jangala Katha (Translation, 1983)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Simple, child-friendly proseRhythmic nonsense (nanabaya) verse
Recurring Motifs
NatureAnimalsChild's perspectiveNationalistic and educational themes

Legacy

A prominent figure in Odia children's literature and educational publishing. Influential through textbooks and the children's magazine 'Sansar'; his devotional song is reported to have been favored by Gandhi.

Academic Societies

  • Orissa Sahitya Akademi

In Popular Culture

  • His lyrics were used in the 1978 film 'Balidaan'.
  • In 2009 there was media controversy over a remix of a prayer song attributed to him.

Quotes

  • Unintelligibility or irrelevance does not reduce the value of nanabaya. The rhythm and style is unique. Sometimes the meanings are unclear or impossible to ascertain.
    Source: Quoted in introductions/anthologies discussing his work (e.g., The Tenth Rasa anthology introduction) (2007)

Trivia

  • His song 'Ahe Dayamaya Biswa Bihari' is reported to have been a favorite of Mahatma Gandhi.
  • Opened Parijata press in 1947 and launched the children's magazine 'Sansar' in 1952 (press closed in 1961).
  • Married to Saudamini Devi; they had nine children (eight daughters and one son).
  • Lyrics used in the film 'Balidaan' (1978).