Prof. Dr. Ramesh Prasad Panigrahi—A Legend in Recluse
(PROFESSOR BY PROFESSION, PLAYWRIGHT BY PASSION)
By Sukanta Rout
More than fifty years ago, a young boy wandered alone along streams and hills in his remote village during long summer holidays. A preteen clad in shorts, he searched for something ineffable, something transcendent—a benign bliss that now, as an adult, he selflessly shares with others. That bliss, which captivated him and became his lifelong passion, was drama—an art as divine as reciting the Vedas, the sacred texts of Hinduism.
Drama, the essence of Natya Veda (the fifth Veda), combines entertainment with enlightenment, mirroring the cosmic cycle of conflict, climax, and catharsis. Even as a child, Ramesh Prasad Panigrahi felt an unexplainable pull toward this heavenly art.
Reflecting on this early inspiration, Dr. Panigrahi describes it as “a feeling of eco-feminism, an unconscious communion with Mother Nature, who cast a spell on me. It felt like sowing seeds of creative impulse—a moment akin to the birth of the cosmos itself, as described in pre-Panini philosophical discourses like ‘Paravak’ and ‘Pasyanti Vak.’
His childhood evenings were spent outdoors, soaking in the mysteries of nature. On moonlit nights, he would walk a kilometer to the Rushikulya River, his path strewn with Nageswari petals, unbothered by warnings of stray cobras drawn to the flowers’ fragrance. These solitary explorations of nature’s beauty planted the seeds for the mystic and storyteller he would later become—a man weaving captivating dramas to enlighten and entertain audiences.
Born in 1944 in the village of Dharakot Garh, nestled near the Sulia Parbat foothills in Odisha’s Ganjam district, Dr. Panigrahi was destined for greatness. As a young boy of twelve, he began crafting lyrical lines on scraps of paper, which later earned him recognition as a lyricist for All India Radio and Doordarshan. Over the years, he evolved into a versatile writer, essayist, critic, storyteller, and, most notably, a playwright and theater activist—a household name in Odisha by the 1980s.
A Prolific Playwright and Theater Visionary
Since debuting with his play “Mukti Mandap” in 1963, Dr. Panigrahi has written over a hundred plays and screenplays. His works, such as ‘Timira Trushna,’ ‘Mun, Ambhe O Ambhemane,’ and ‘Dhritarastrara Akhi,’ balance poignant pathos with sharp humor and incorporate twists and turns that leave audiences captivated.
His plays are a blend of traditional and experimental, breathing new life into Odia theater when it was languishing under mediocrity. With ‘Mahanataka’ (1962), a play rooted in myths, he pioneered the use of mythology in modern Indian theater—years before Girish Karnad’s ‘Hayavadana’ popularized the trend.
Despite his fame, Dr. Panigrahi attributes his inspiration to his audience. “Their love for my work inspires me to create. When I know they value what I write, I feel compelled to go further,” he says. His plays are known for their catharsis—the emotional release that leaves audiences renewed and enlightened, much like a meditative experience.
Saviour of Jatra
Dr. Panigrahi also played a pivotal role in reviving Jatra, the traditional Odia folk theater, which was on the brink of extinction. He revitalized it with innovative storytelling, vibrant artistry, and relatable narratives. His Jatra plays, like ‘Bhinna Eka Ramayana Anya Eka Sita’ and ‘Thakura Achhanti Chaubahaku,” were wildly popular, often running for consecutive nights with tickets sold in advance. His genius turned struggling performers into sought-after artists, giving Jatra a new lease on life.
From Stage to Screen
Dr. Panigrahi’s creativity extends beyond the stage to cinema and television. Films like “Samaya Bada Balaban” and ‘Kotia Manisha Gotia Jaga’, along with the Hindi television series ‘Rishte Kaise Kaise,’ based on his scripts, have been cherished by audiences for their tight storytelling and emotional depth.
Scholar and Cultural Ambassador
Beyond the realm of drama, Dr. Panigrahi is a scholar dedicated to showcasing Odisha’s rich heritage. His seminal works on Odia literature—‘History of Ancient Odia Literature,’ ‘History of Colonial Odia Literature,’ and ‘Modern Odia Literature,’ published by Mittal Publications—explore untold tales of Odisha’s cultural and literary traditions. He also authored ‘Continuity in the Flux’, a compilation of essays on art and literature, along with numerous articles highlighting Odisha’s legacy.
In his twilight years, Dr. Panigrahi remains committed to his mission of bringing Odisha to global recognition. He envisions writing extensively about the state’s art, literature, dance, and sculpture, a task he estimates will fill over two crore pages.
The Humble Artist
Despite his towering contributions to drama and culture, Dr. Panigrahi shuns lobbying for awards, valuing artistic integrity above recognition. He recalls an offer to secure an award from the Kendriya Sahitya Akademi, which he declined due to unethical conditions. “No award is worth the humiliation of compromising my creations,” he says.
For him, the greatest reward comes from his audience. He fondly recounts an encounter with a woman who invited him home to serve fried “pohala” fish as a token of her gratitude for the joy his plays had brought her. “That was the best award I have ever received,” he says.
The Essence of Drama
Dr. Panigrahi’s plays are steeped in catharsis—the emotional essence of drama. In his work ‘Kamalpur Daka Ghar,’, an old man waits eagerly for a letter from his son at war, only to discover it was stolen by the postmaster. The letter, when finally revealed, bears tragic news: the son has been martyred. The father’s grief transforms into acceptance, and he envisions his son’s sacrifice painting the horizon red at sunset. This emotional crescendo exemplifies Dr. Panigrahi’s mastery of drama—a blend of resolution and catharsis that leaves a profound impact on audiences.
Legacy of a Legend
Dr. Ramesh Prasad Panigrahi’s contributions to Odia dramatic culture are unparalleled. A luminary in the world of theater, he has inspired countless playwrights and directors across India. His works, rich with poetic justice and emotional depth, connect audiences with the divine, transcending the boundaries of time and place.
Even as he reflects on a lifetime of achievements, Dr. Panigrahi remains humble. “Drama is my prayer, my way of connecting with the Almighty,” he says. For this wise wizard of Odia drama, creativity is not just an art but a sacred offering to humanity.
