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Birakishore Das

(1898 – 1973) – (Odisha)

Birakishore Das (Aged 75) was born on November 23, 1898, in Punanga, Cuttack district, Odisha, India. He was popularly known as “Jatiya Kabi Birakishore” (National Poet, Birakishore) and was a poet, social activist, and politician from Odisha. He is best known for editing “Mo Desha,” a monthly magazine. His first publication, “Mohana Banshi,” a compilation of national songs, was prescribed by the British government.

He completed his matriculation at Victoria High School in Cuttack and later worked in the cooperative department of Odisha. After five years of service, he joined the Non-cooperation movement in 1921. During the freedom struggle, he became famous for his patriotic songs, which were directed against British rule and inspired thousands of people.

He wrote poems to be recited in public meetings and processions, and for his poems against the British Empire, he was imprisoned several times by the British government. Some of his popular collections include “Bijuli Bati,” “Mohana Bansi,” “Sabuja,” “Sarathi,” “Bidrohi Vina,” “Bana Bheri,” “Rana Dunduvi,” and “Ari Ferinahin Yuddha Sarinahin.”

In 1947, he edited and published a children’s magazine, “Mo Desha” (My Country), from Cuttack to inculcate love for the motherland among children, which influenced and inspired a number of writers. He passed away on April 28, 1973, in Odisha, India.