Law, Education, and Odia Identity: Reflections from Gopabandhu Das' Letters

Pandit Gopabandhu Das (1877-1928) was the most inspiring orator, the noblest socio-political worker, and the most visionary and progressive-minded educationist of late 19th century Odisha. He was a dedicated servant of humanity’s cause. Although he was marred slightly by speech deformity, it did not stop the Pandit from communicating his zeal to the millions of Odias living under the sun. Through letters, magazines periodicals, and poetry he has captivated the public's emotions that have never been seen in Odisha before. Although the gem of Utkal started his career in writing poetry as a University student, he completely forgot poetry till his final days for various nationalist activities. The foundation of Satyavadi School (1909) is one example of his multifarious activities. Every aspect of national life engaged his attention. To spread his ideas he first founded the monthly Satyavadi and later the weekly The Samaj. In these editorials, he poured his soul, feelings, and agonies. Apart from these journals and magazines he has reacted against injustice and cruelties wrought on the Odias through his letters to different officials. Uncovering those letters is the aim of the present study.