Monday 10 May 2021

A TRIBUTE TO THE MODERN BISU MAHARANA OF ODISHA



A TRIBUTE TO THE MODERN BISU MAHARANA OF ODISHA 


O the blessed Sculptor, and Odisha's modern Bisu Maharana, "May you be reborn!"

Alas! The cruel, callous and clandestine Corona beat you in your fight for life in the long run,

Stifled your charismatic, lively and enviable chisels for a silent and sorrowful slumber,

Stole sorely from your home the soothing croons and healing cacophony of the pet birds, 

Did your devout and obedient Shishyas' joys and hard earned bread and butter plunder, 

Forced your smiling, singing, talking and dancing Creations to shed torrential tear floods,

Ransacked your vision of replicating the world renowned Konark's Temple of the Sun,

Impelled your coveted Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan Awards to mourn,

Deprived the land of Utkal of a Vishwakarma in sculpture, leaving Her a marooned forlorn,

And humbled the world of the stone craftsmen to salute you for your Immortal Contribution! 


N.B. Raghunath Mohapatra was an architect, sculptor, and a Nominated Member of Rajya Sabha. He was awarded Padma Shri in 1975 and Padma Bhushan in 2001. He was awarded Padma Vibhushan in 2013 on occasion of 64th Republic Day of India. He died in Bhubaneshwar in May 2021 of Corona virus infection during the 2020-21 pandemic. Wikipedia

Born: 23 March 1943, Puri
Died: 9 May 2021
Office: Member of Rajya Sabha since 2018
Spouse(s): Rajani Mohapatra ​(m. 1966)​

Copyright: Shankar D Mishra 10.05.21







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