Biography of Gangadhar Meher

(August 9, 1862 - 1924)

Gangadhar Meher was born on August 9, 1862, at Barpali in the Sambalpur district of Orissa. He is also known as the 'Kalidas' of Oriya literature. He, like Kabir, was born in a Julaha family. At the age of 6, he was admitted into the village school. But unfortunately, he had to leave the school when he was in class five. Yet his interest in reading and writing did not diminish.

In 1885, he started working as Amin' in the office of Barpali Zamindar at the salary of Rs. 7 per month. But he had to leave this job very soon because his employer wanted to use him as a false witness. After some time Zamindar realised his mistake and again forwarded his name for the court Muhavir to the government. He worked on this post till 1917.

He composed short poems and wrote Ahalyastava'. In 1892, he wrote Indumati', which was based on 'Raghuvansh of Kalidas'. His other famous writing was "Utakal Lakshmi'. In addition, he wrote 'Kichak Vadh', 'Tapashwari', 'Pranayvallari' and 'Granthavali. He died in 1924.