Adikanda Mahanta facts for kids

Adikanda Mahanta (Odia: ଆଦିକନ୍ଦ ମହାନ୍ତ) was a famous Indian folklorist. He was born on May 8, 1954, in Chitrada, Odisha, and passed away on January 13, 2015. A folklorist is someone who studies and collects traditional stories, songs, and customs of a community. He was one of the first people to do important research on folk culture in eastern India.

About Adikanda Mahanta

Adikanda Mahanta was born in a place called Chitrada, in the Mayurbhanj area of Odisha, India. His parents were Shri Shiva Prasad and Satyabhama Mohanta.

His Education Journey

He was a very bright student. He earned top marks in his Master's degree in the Odia language from Ranchi University. After that, he continued his studies and earned a PhD. A PhD is a very high university degree, usually for people who do a lot of original research. His PhD was about the folk culture of Odisha.

In 1988, he successfully presented his research paper. This paper was about "Kudmali/Kurmali Folk Songs of Orissa." This showed how much he knew about the traditional songs of the region.

Working for Education and Culture

Mr. Mahanta worked as a Sub-Inspector of Schools for the Government of Odisha. This means he helped make sure schools were running well. He also worked with others to create the Research Institute for Oriya Children's Literature. This organization helps create books for children.

Adikanda Mahanta wrote two textbooks in 2008. The Government of Odisha added these books to the state school lessons in 2009-2010. These books were called Odisha ra srasta adibasi loka katha, Part 1 and Itihasaru sikshiba aasa. He was well-known in Odisha for his work in children's literature.

He also worked as the main editor for several folklore magazines. These included Pharua (from 1998 to 2002), Kudmi Katha (from 1995 to 2008), and Bandana.

Awards and Honours

Adikanda Mahanta received many awards for his important work. These awards recognized his contributions to literature and folk culture:

• 1985: Bisubamilana Sisu Sahittika Sammana - Prajatantra Prachar Samiti
• 1986: Kanakadurga Motimahal Gadaradanga Puri Award
• 1987: Kendujhar Jillastariya Sisu Sahitya Sansad Award
• 1987: Sisu Sahittika Award - Kuwantara Bhubaneswar
• 1988: Rasachhanda Kendujhar Award
• 1998: Sri Sri Jagannath Tatwasrom Udaybatu Jagatsingpur Award
• 1998: Agami Satabdi Bhubaneswar Jhumar Gabesaka Award
• 1999: Mayurbhanj Banipitha Haldipada Award
• 2000: Mayurbhanj Jilastariya Sebaka Samiti Award
• 2001: Saraswata Baniputra Award
• 2001: Purulia Paschimbanga Lokasahitya Award
• 2005: Rajyastrariya Kruti Sikhaka Award
• 2008: Rajat Jayanti Prabandhika Award - Mayurbhanj Sahitya Parishad
• 2010: Kalingaratna Samman Award

Selected Publications

Adikanda Mahanta wrote many books and articles. Here are some of his selected works:

• 1985: Uttar Odishara Loka katha
• 1988: Gapa suniba aasa
• 1991: Satirtha galpa
• 1993: Gyana tapaswi radhakrusnan
• 1997: Odisha ra srestha adivasi loka katha
• 1998: Tiring ringa
• 1999: Kudmi loka katha
• 2002: Karam katha
• 2003: "Folk Treatment System of Tribal Society in Eastern India" (pages 62–65) in Changing Tribal Life: A Socio-philosophical Perspective by Padmaja Sen ISBN: 978-81-8069-023-5
• 2005: Kudmi janma sanskara
• 2006: Kurmali loka katha o laka gita: Samanya kathana
• 2006: Jhumar samikhya
• 2006: Chheng gargar khapra pitha
• 2007: Kudmi biplabi neta
• 2007: Chau Nrutya samanya kathana
• 2007: Mayurbhanja ra lokabadya
• 2007: Kudmi jati eka bihangabalokana
• 2007: "Ecological Ideologies in Tribal Folklore of Eastern India" (pages 71–77) in Forest, Government, and Tribe by Chittaranjan Kumar Paty ISBN: 978-81-8069-406-6
• 2008: Utara Odisha ra loka nrutya
• 2015: Uttar Odishar Adivasi O Mulabasinka Lokasanskruti Har Mitaan
• 2023: Atmajibani Sikh + Oak = Shikhyak