Born :- 01-Oct-1921
Died :- 26-Jun-1993
Place of Birth :- Kunjabanagarh, Dasapala
Ramchandra Mishra was an illustrious playwright of Odisha, who has left behind his indelible footprints on Odia dramatics. Popular in each nook and corner of the state, Mishra scripted over 40 plays, all staged successfully to the applause of the audiences.
Ramchandra Mishra was born in 1920 in the former Dashpalla Gadjat state. After graduating from Cuttack Mission School, he did his BA from Ravenshaw College and LLB from Law College. In his early career, he worked in the administrative services and, later, practiced Law. He wrote his first play, ‘Abhimaan’, while doing his degree course at the Ravenshaw. It was staged at the Bharati Theatre in 1942. He gained a lot of popularity due to his excellent presentation of the story and emotional treatment of the theme and characters of the play.
Later, he wrote for the Annapurna Theatre over 40 plays such as– ‘Bhai Bhauja’, ‘Gharasamsar’, ‘Mulia’, ‘Puanighara’, ‘Sebika’, ‘Mamata’, ‘Chabuk’, ‘Natak Ritimat’, ‘Narottam Das Kahe’, ‘Kisa Puni Dekha Najae’, ‘Mantri Juga’ and ‘Artha Anartha’. Filming of his ‘Ghara Samsar’ and ‘Bhai Bhauja’ were box-office hits.
Mishra came into prominence at a time when Kali Charan Patnaik reigned supreme as dramatist. In stagecraft he followed Patnaik's footsteps. The newly born Annapurna, then struggling for existence, got its identity for Mishra's magical touch.
Mishra always picked a problem in the family and the society and tried to solve it through his well-knit plot and effective characters. The various difficulties in Hindu undivided families and the decadence of social values stirred him and he strongly advocated Gandhian philosophy for a change. His depiction of Odia middle-class families, especially rural ones, is charming. He closely observed human psychology, properly utilised it in his characters, and portrayed relationships sensitively. Simple, natural, suitable but dramatic dialogues, a well-knit plot with wit and humour kept his audiences spellbound all the time.
Ramachandra Mishra passed away in 1922. He received the Odisha Sahitya Akademi Award and the Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for his outstanding talent.
