Gangadhar Meher (1862-1924) was an eminent poet of
Orissa. He was also a social reformer and a teacher. He is regarded as a poet with a very few parallels. His depiction of nature in a pleasing manner earned him the title ‘Wordsworth of Orissa.’ The language used in his poems was simple but had an extraordinary feel to it. Stress on moral values was given in his compositions.
Gangadhar Meher was born in a weaver family, at Barpali town in Baragarh District of Orissa. Even though he had a humble background, he rose to become one of the greatest poets in Orissa. Among his many famous works, he is best known for the epic ‘Tapaswini.’ His other poetic creations include 'Amruta Sagar Bindu,' ‘Mun ta amruta sagar bindu,’ ‘Basanta Bijay Barata,’ ‘Bishwa dekha madhumaya,’ ‘Mangale aila usha’ and ‘Dhire Dhire aasa.’ On his birth anniversary, functions are organized around Orissa in which Odissi dance groups perform to the songs composed by him.
Gangadhar Meher‘s writings have given him an immortal status in
Oriya literature. Each year an award titled ‘Gangadhar Meher National Award for poetry’ is given by the Central Government of India to the poets with promising works.
