Kuntala Kumari Sabat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
କୁନ୍ତଳା କୁମାରୀ ସାବତKuntala Kumari Sabat
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| Born | 8 February 1901 ଜଗଦଳପୁର, ଓଡ଼ିଶା, ଭାରତ |
| Died | 23 August 1938 (aged 37) |
| Occupation | କବି |
| Language | ଓଡ଼ିଆ |
| Nationality | ଭାରତୀୟ |
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Kuntala Kumari Sabat (born February 8, 1901 – died August 23, 1938) was a famous Indian poet and writer. She was also a doctor and a strong voice for freedom and women's rights. She wrote many poems and songs that inspired people during India's fight for independence.
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Early Life and Education
Kuntala Kumari Sabat was born on February 8, 1901, in Jagadalpur, which is in the Bastar region of India. Her parents were Daniel and Monica. Soon after she was born, her family moved to Burma. Kuntala Kumari spent her early childhood there. This time helped her become brave and fearless.
Later, she returned to Khurda, India, with her mother, Monica. She went to Ravenshaw Girl’s School for her early education. After that, she studied at the Medical School in Cuttack. Even during her school days, Kuntala Kumari wrote beautiful poems. She became a successful doctor, known for her hard work and kindness.
A Life of Writing and Activism
Kuntala Kumari had a special teacher for her writing, named Kailash Rao. She joined a group called ‘Nava Vidhan’, which was part of the ‘Brahmo Society’. Her first collection of poems, called ‘Anjali’, became very popular. Many famous writers in Odisha praised her work. A women's cultural group even gave her the special title ‘Utkal Bharati’. Two well-known poets, Gopal Chandra Praharaj and Pallikabi Nanda Kishore Bal, loved her like their own daughter.
In 1925, Kuntala Kumari started working at a new maternity center in Cuttack. Later, on July 1, 1928, she moved to Delhi. That same year, she married Krishna Prasad. Even though her life changed, she never stopped writing. She wrote in English, Bengali, and Hindi. She also contributed to many non-Oriya magazines and edited several Hindi journals in Delhi.
While in Delhi, she led the ‘All India Arya Mahila Sammilani’ (All India Women's Conference) in Bareli. She was also invited to give lectures at Allahabad University and Benaras Hindu University. She became the president of the students' federation in Aligarh. She also led a social group that worked to allow widow remarriage and stop child marriage. From Delhi, she worked hard to promote and publish Oriya literature. She also connected with other famous writers there. The ‘Hindi Pracharini Sabha’ gave her the title ‘Bharat Kavinetri’, which means 'India's Poetess'.
Inspiring a Nation
Kuntala Kumari Sabat was a strong supporter of India's freedom struggle. She believed that independence was a basic right for all Indian people. She was a follower of Mahatma Gandhi. She worked to awaken women and encouraged them to join the National Movement under Gandhi's leadership.
She wrote powerful lines like: Senapati Aaji Deichhanti Daka Utha bharatara Biraputrajaka, Apurba Asahayoga Ranagune Arte Antakasi para Janejane, Bharatara Jete Viragunamani Chaliasu Senapati Dakasuni. This means: The General has called today, Rise, brave sons of India! In the unique war of Non-cooperation, each one will fight till the end. All the brave gems of India, come running at the General's call.
During the Non-cooperation Movement, she called on the people of Odisha to fight for freedom. She was seen as the voice of modern Odisha. She cared deeply about people's suffering and wanted to free everyone from unfair treatment.
Kuntala Kumari was very patriotic. She often wrote about Gandhi, Nehru, and the spinning wheel in her poems. This helped people imagine a free India, even under British rule. Her war songs inspired many Oriya youths to join the Non-cooperation Movement.
Literary Works and Themes
Even though Kuntala Kumari lived only 38 years, her writings had a lasting impact. She wrote many beautiful patriotic poems and songs. Her first collection of poems came out in 1922. Other important works include:
- ‘Uchhwas’ (1924)
- ‘Archana’ (1927)
- ‘Sphulinga’ (1929)
- ‘Ahwan’ (1930)
- ‘Prem Chintamani’ (1930)
- ‘Oriyanka Kandana’ (1937)
- ‘Garjat Krishaka’ (1939)
Her poems show her love for people, nature, and her country. She spoke out against old superstitions and unfair traditions. She always protested against injustice and inequality. She also wrote about the glorious past of Odisha. Her poems often showed a romantic love for freedom, equality, and brotherhood.
In 1924, she wrote the opening song for the ‘Utkal Sammilani’ meeting. The poems in her book ‘Archana’ gave a voice to the poor and marginalized. Her book ‘Sphulinga’ inspired the youth of Odisha. The poems in ‘Ahwan’ captured the spirit of Gandhi's call for freedom. She wanted people to learn from history and fight against dullness and unfairness. Her fame as a patriot and poet spread across the country.
Kuntala Kumari also wrote novels. In her novel ‘Na-tundi’, she described the real life of the land. ‘Raghu Arakhit’ is another important work, which talks about social customs related to marriage.
Legacy
Kuntala Kumari’s powerful voice was especially clear in her poetry books ‘AHWAN’ (The Call) and ‘Gadajata Krishaka’ (Feudatory Farmer). Her poetry helped strengthen the Oriya people against the British. It healed the pain of many Oriyas who felt trapped under British rule. She was a rebel and a visionary who stirred people's minds with her writings. Her poems sparked a new spirit and inspired people to fight tirelessly for freedom.
On August 2, 1931, Kuntala Kumari led a session of the Utkal Sammilani in Balasore. Over a thousand women attended this meeting. In this session, the "All Orissa Women’s Association" was formed to improve the lives of women in Odisha.
In an essay called “Kabi O Lekhakara Udeshya” (The Aim of a Poet and Writer), she explained that a true artist is not limited by time or place. She wrote: “The poet or the writer is nature’s representative. He is not confined to any particular nation or time. He belongs to all the nations, to all time and all humanity.”
Kuntala Kumari Sabat passed away on August 23, 1938. Her death was a great loss for the people of Odisha. Her short life was a story of constant struggle against evil and darkness. She was a very talented poet from Odisha, known for her bold words for Indian freedom. Even though she spent much of her life outside Odisha, she always loved her home state, its gods, landscapes, villages, and people. Because of her work, she is still remembered today. Her ideas and care for common people are reflected in her writings. Her life and creations made her a legend even during her lifetime. She fought for a world free from evil and injustice, and her passion for justice, equality, liberty, and brotherhood was amazing.
