Born :- 01-Dec-1914
Died :- 30-Mar-1998
Place of Birth :- Damapada, Banki, Cuttack

Pranabandhu is a pioneer of modern Odia literature, a playwright and short story writer of extraordinary genre. The writer was a legend who metamorphosed the cult of Odia drama. He had a unique style of portraying the characters of his plays, besides being a colloquist in his scripts. He not only set a new benchmark in the literary world of his time but also has inspired succeeding generations of writers to adopt his style.

Born to a teacher, Chintamani Kar of Dompada in Banki under Cuttack district on 1 December, 1914, Pranabandhu Kar spent his life as a college teacher and retired from the Ravenshaw College.

Pranabandhu started writing short stories from a fairly young age of 21. He was immediately recognised for his creative talent and encouraged by his seniors and peers. His first short story was ‘Bhranti' (1935) and he then introduced one-act plays to Odia literature with his 'Pagala Jantara Bahare' (1938). Rightly acknowledged as the ‘Father of Odia one-act plays’, he brought in a style and technique that were unparalleled in Indian writing of his time.

He, however, was never a prolific writer and was often prodded into writing by his students, friends and editors of literary magazines. He has written only 35 plays and 51 short stories in his entire literary career that spanned over six decades. Yet, all his works stand out as gems. His creations include– ‘Ashant’, ‘Swetapadma’, ‘Snayu Samhar’ and ‘Eka Mati, Aaneka Akash’ (Plays), ‘Dura Pahada’ and ‘Petu’ (One-act Plays), ‘Shandha Ladhei’ and ‘Shua Muhanra Patara’ (Short stories).

Apart from his original works, he had the distinction of giving dramatic version to some of the classic Odia novels such as Fakir Mohan Senapati's 'Chha Mana Atha Guntha', 'Lachhama', 'Mamu' and Kalindi Charan Panigrahi's 'Matira Manisha'.

Pranabandhu’s genius is reflected both in his plays and short stories, a rare combination the likes of which modern Odia literature has hardly witnessed. His penchant for delving into human psyche has made him stand apart in the literary sphere of the state. An educationist by profession, he drew inspiration from simple real life situations and experiences to weave tales that will forever continue to fascinate readers and writers alike.

His characters were drawn from all walks of life and his canvas spread from little known Tikabali in the backward Phulbani (now Boudh) district of Odisha to Los Angeles, US. He was not only realistic in delineation of various subjects and aspects of the society but also romantic in portraying his characters. Even though he dealt with poverty, backwardness, frustrations and disappointments, he was essentially an optimist and celebrated life. His writings, thus, tend to emanate positivity, the bright side brought out through exquisite psycho-analysis of his characters.

Pranabandhu was a champion of womens' emancipation from the beginning and most of his writings bear testimony to this. His powerful dramatic style and simple language coupled with experimentation has set him apart from others. It is his style, technique, language and willingness to experiment that earned him the sobriquet of 'trend setter in Odia short story and plays'.

His works have won him several awards and recognitions from the Kendra Sahitya Akademi, Kendra Nritya Sangeet Akademi, Odisha Sahitya Akademi and Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi, the Ramachandra Mishra Dramma Award given by the Utkal Sahitya Samaj and many other prestigious literary and cultural organisations. He was also the President of Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi. He breathed his last on 30 March, 1998.

Audio story

Audio One Act Play