Godabarish Mohapatra was a reputed figure in
Oriya literature. He was a writer, poet, author and novelist of par excellence. He was also a social reformer, journalist and critique. He strived hard to expose the workings of the corrupt professionals through his magazine ‘Niakhunta,’ which he published for 27 years.
Godabarish Mohapatra was born near Banpur in Khordha District. His started writing poems from his school days. He served as a teacher in the National School at Banpur. In 1928, he was appointed as an editor of a magazine called ‘Asha.’ He became an associate of various magazines like ‘Hiteishini’, ‘Mukur’, ‘Sahakar’, ‘Matrubhumi’ from 1936. On 12th March, 1938 he launched his own magazine titled ‘Niakhunta’. Published from
Berhampur and
Cuttack, this magazine gained popularity. It was full of cartoons, criticisms and analysis of workings of corrupt professionals. In 1957, he launched another magazine called ‘Tuan Tuin.’
Godabarish Mohapatra has to his credit more than 70 books consisting of poetry, novels, stories, analysis and those meant for academic purpose. He was awarded the Orissa Sahitya Academy Award for his books titled ‘Mo Khelasaathi’, in the year 1960, and ‘Utha Kankala’ and ‘Kanta O Phula’ in 1962. He was honored with the Kendriya Sahitya Academy Award for his book ‘Banka O Sidha.’
