For The First Time, An Interpretation Centre On Poet Gangadhar Meher

For The First Time, An Interpretation Centre On Poet Gangadhar Meher

Bhubaneswar, October 18: An interpretation centre on popular nature poet Gangadhar Meher will be constructed at Barpalli in Bargarh district. This was announced today after Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik approved the proposal.

Around Rs 45 lakh will be invested for this project which will be implemented by Department of Tourism. The State of Art Interpretation Centre will have audio visuals on the life of poet Gangadhar Meher who is popularly known as SwabhabKabi. The artifacts relating to his life and works shall also be showcased in the centre.

Informing about this, Tourism Director Nitin B Jawale said, “This has been proposed by the Tourism Department and the Chief Minister has approved the proposal. We would start working on this project soon. A plan and design will be made for construction of the interpretation centre. We would try to complete all the preliminary works like identifying the land for construction, layout and other activities before completion of the financial year in March.”

Appreciating the initiative, Preetidhara Samal, Odia lecturer in Government Women’s College, Koraput said, “It is a good initiativewhich would facilitate development of Odia literature. Gangadhar Meher is one of the finest Odia poets and constructing an interpretation centre will help people know about his life in a better way.”

Another Odia poet Surya Mishra said, “I think it is for the first time, an interpretation centre will be constructed for a poet. It is a great step as it will help to boost Odia literature.”

Gangadhar Meher was born in 1862 in Barpalli. His major works includes Balaram-Dev, PranayaBallari, Kichaka Badha, Indumati and Ayodhya Drusya. Padmini was his last work along with Tapaswini which was his magnum opus. His other works include Arghyathali, Kavita kallola, Kavitamala and Krusaka Sangita among others.