A critical edition of two ‘parvas’ of the ‘Sarala DasMahabharatha’, authored by 15th-century poet Sarala Das andbrought out by the Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA) University, werereleased at a function here recently.
The publication, containing the ‘musoli’ and ‘swargarohan’ parvaswritten by the poet widely referred to as ‘Adi Kavi’, were released byeminent scholar, writer and linguist Dr Debi Prasanna Pattanayak at a programme organised in the university.Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, in a video message, hailed the endeavour saying Sarala Das’ epic provided a vivid picture of life at that time.
Principal Secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management, Odia Language, Literature and Culture Bishnupada Sethi unveiled the digital edition of the work on the occasion.
The epic contained 18 ‘parvas’ the critical editions of which the university planned to publish subsequently. Dr Pattanayak said it is a difficult task, “but a lot more is needed to be done to bring Sarala Das’ stupendous work into limelight. He, however, said research should be undertaken to clear the air about the poet’s place of birth and the time to which he belonged.
“There is a question mark on whether the poet belonged to the 9th-10th century though it is generally believed that he lived in the 15th century,” he said.
A three member editorial team comprising scholars Prof Gouranga Charan Dash, Prof Pradipta Kumar Panda and Dr Bhagyalipi Malla edited the critical edition. SOA Vice-Chancellor Prof Ashok Kumar Mahapatra presided over event.