Adikanda Mahanta facts for kids

Adikanda Mahanta (born May 8, 1954, died January 13, 2015) was an important Indian folklorist. He came from a place called Chitrada in Odisha. He was one of the first people to study folk culture in Odisha. He was well known for his research on the traditional stories, songs, and customs of eastern India.

About Adikanda Mahanta

Adikanda Mahanta was born in Chitrada, Mayurbhanj, Orissa, India. His parents were Shri Shiva Prasad and Satyabhama Mohanta. He was a very bright student. He earned top marks in his Masters program in the Odia language at Ranchi University.

His Studies and Research

Later, he earned his PhD from the same university. His special area of study was the folk culture of Orissa. In 1988, he successfully defended his big research paper. It was called "Odishara Kurmali Lokagita." This paper was all about the folk songs of the Kurmali language in Orissa.

His Work as an Educator

Mr. Mahanta worked for the Government of Odisha. He was a Sub-Inspector of Schools. This meant he helped oversee schools and education. He also worked with others to create the Research Institute for Oriya Children's Literature. This organization focused on books for young readers.

Contributions to Children's Literature

Adikanda Mahanta made big contributions to children's books. In 2008, he wrote two textbooks. The Government of Orissa added these books to the state's school lessons. This happened in the 2009-2010 school year. The books were titled Odisha ra srasta adibasi loka katha, Part 1 and Itihasaru sikshiba aasa. He was very famous in Orissa for his work in children's literature.

Editor of Folk Journals

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

Awards and Special Recognitions

Adikanda Mahanta received many awards for his hard work and contributions. Here are some of them:

• 1985: Bisubamilana Sisu Sahittika Sammana from Prajatantra Prachar Samiti
• 1986: Kanakadurga Motimahal Gadaradanga Puri Award
• 1987: Kendujhar Jillastariya Sisu Sahitya Sansad Award
• 1987: Sisu Sahittika Award from 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 from Mayurbhanj Sahitya Parishad
• 2010: Kalingaratna Samman Award

His Published Works

Adikanda Mahanta wrote many books and articles. Most of his works focused on folk tales, songs, and the culture of eastern India. Here are some of his selected publications:

• 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" (in a book called Changing Tribal Life)
• 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" (in a book called Forest, Government, and Tribe)
• 2008: Utara Odisha ra loka nrutya
• 2015: Uttar Odishar Adivasi O Mulabasinka Lokasanskruti Har Mitaan
• 2023: Atmajibani Sikh + Oak = Shikhyak