Colonial Odia Literature

Colonial Odia Literature is a comprehensive survey, in chronological fashion of the major literary movements from mid-19th century to 1947. Written for general readers, post-graduate students and research scholars, this history locates authors, genres and developments within their socio-cultural contexts. Informed by contemporary literary and cultural theory, this account also prepares the reader for further explorations in particular genres and periods in Odia literature.

Ramesh P. Panigrahi (1944) is the first Indian playwright who has written the history of his vernacular literature. A fecund playwright with 73 original plays to his credit, Dr. Panigrahi with his three decades of teaching experience has worked as a translator, interpreter, journalistic reporter and a spokesman of his literary culture. He is a charismatic and difficult thinker and his ideas give permanent shape to the intellectual epochs of an important body of colonial Odia literature. Panigrahi offers a reasoned and positive presentation of an important body of twentieth century thoughts.