Sambalpuri Day observed with pomp and gaiety; pioneer of Sambalpuri language remembered 

The entire Western Odisha has soaked in the festive grandeur as the people of this part of the state are celebrating the Sambalpuri Day on Tuesday. 

Today is the birth anniversary of the promoter of the Sambalpuri language, Satyanarayan Bohidar and the day is celebrated as ‘Sambalpuri Day.’

It is because of Bohidar that the language has been established as a vibrant language enriched with the culture and traditions of the region. 

Bohidar was born to Mitrabhanu Bahidar and Bilasbati Bahidar on August 1, 1913 at Sonepur, then undivided Sambalpur. When he was just six-year-old, he lost his mother. After completion of his Primary Education, he came to Sambalpur for higher education. And he spent his formative and creative years in Sambalpur and produced a good number of literary translations and biographies.

While he is remembered for his magnum opus ‘Sambalpuri Bhasakosh’, his other works include ‘Tik Chahnra’ (1975), ‘Ghavghavo’, ‘Ghuvkudu’ and several poems. Patritism and his love for Sambalpur language reflect in his works. He died on December 31, 1980. 

While Sambalpuri Day is officially being observed for a few decades, the objective of observing Sambalpuri Day is to spread Sambalpuri language, literature, culture and last but not the least, clothes. 

On this occasion, BJP National Vice President Baijayant Panda took to his Twitter handle and greeted the people of Western Odisha. 

“My greetings and best wishes of Sambalpuri Din to all. My deepest tribute to Sambalpuri writer, teacher and poet  Satyanarayan Bohidar,” he wrote.