Matrimony Voice

Fakir Mohan Senapati Born on 14th January 1843 at Mallikashpur village of Balasore district. Fakir Mohan Senapti lost his parents at early childhood and was left to the care of his wodowed grand mother. The original name of Fakir Mohan was bajra Mohan. At the age of seven, he had an attack of some unknown dreaded disease. His grand-mother made a promise at the Pir’s Dargha that if he recovers from the ailment, the boy would be turned a “Fakir”. Miraculously he recovered from the dreaded disease and become known as Fakir Mohan.

The name Fakir Mohan itself implies the fusion of both Muslim and Hindu communities. Besides that, his life is also a glaring example of Muslim impact on Hindu culture. Unlike his predecessors, Fakir Mohan completely discarded the traditional theme of romantic love between prince-princess and wrote about common people and their problems in his novels. He participated in the Oriya nationalist movement and started his writing career by translating and writing text-books for schools. His first original poem Utkal Bhramana (Tours of Orissa) was written when he was 50. Chamana Athaguntha (Six manas and Eight Gunthas), his first novel and masterpiece, was serialized in a monthly magazine.

Fakirmohan is now remembered for his four novels, 20 short stories, and autobiography and several pieces of poetry.

Fakir Mohan Senapati, regarded as the father of modern Oriya literature, dedicated his entire life for the progress of Oriya language.