Sarala Das’ Odia Mahabharata Highlights Power Of Writing In Colloquial Language: Vice-President

Cuttack: Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu on Friday stressed on the importance of writing and communicating with people in simple and colloquial language by stating that the Mahabharata written by Sarala Das has not dimmed among Odia people even after hundreds of years because of his unique style and diction.

Speaking at a function organised by Sarala Sahitya Sansad, here on the occasion of 600th birth anniversary of Adikabi Sarala Das, the Vice-President suggested the administration and the judiciary to use the local language increasingly to effectively communicate with people.

Referring to studies that have shown the advantages of mother tongue in early schooling, he called for the medium of instruction upto primary school to be in the local language.

Hailing Sarala Das as not just Adi Kabi but also Adi Aitihasika and Adi Bhougolbith, Naidu said Sarala Das was a pioneer in democratising literature as he had used colloquial language as early as 15th century. Comparing Sarala Das with Kabir and Yogi Vemana, he said great poets have an extraordinary ability to communicate complex emotions and ideas in a simple language and leave a lasting impression on a wide cross-section of readers.

Hailing Sarala Das as a literary genius, who earned the title of ‘The Father of Odia Language’, he said he has enriched Odia language and culture. “No wonder, Odia came to be recognised by the Government of India as a Classical Language of India with Sarala Das standing as a beacon,” he added.

Odisha Governor Prof Ganeshi Lal, Andhra Pradesh Governor Biswa Bhusan Harichandan, Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan, State Minister Pratap Jena, President of Sarala Sahitya Sansad Dr. Pravakar Swain, members of the Sansad and others were present during the event.