Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja

Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja (1978): The Ambitious Film That Paid Tribute to a Literary Icon

The late 1970s were a fascinating period for Odia cinema – a time when filmmakers were exploring new themes while still rooted in cultural pride. Among these creative endeavors was an ambitious project that dared to bring the life of Odisha’s greatest poet to the silver screen: Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja.

The Man Behind the Dream: Raghunath Mishra

For people familiar with Berhampur’s cultural landscape, the name Natyashri Raghunath Mishra resonates with passion and creativity. Originally from Biranarsinghpur in Puri, Mishra made Berhampur his base and became deeply involved in theatre. He wrote and staged his own plays, often directing and producing them himself. His association with the Odia film industry began with Punarmilana, a remake film where he contributed as a dialogue writer and lyricist.

Through his efforts, Pratap Movie Enterprise came into existence in Berhampur. However, like many Odia remake producers of the time, this company never managed to make a second film. But Mishra was determined. By 1977-78, he decided to take a bold step – produce a film on his own under a new banner: Shri Satyasai Movietone.

A Story Worth Telling: The Life of a Poet King

Unlike many filmmakers of his time who opted for remakes or commercial plots, Mishra wanted something original yet deeply connected to Odia heritage. His vision? A cinematic tribute to Upendra Bhanja – the legendary poet revered as the emperor of Odia literature and the pride of the Odia language.

The film was aptly titled Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja. Mishra himself wrote the story, dialogues, and screenplay. This wasn’t the first attempt to portray the poet’s life on stage or screen – eminent playwright Manoranjan Das had earlier penned a drama by the same name, staged by Kabichandra Kalicharan Patnaik’s Odisha Theatres. Yet, translating the grandeur of Upendra Bhanja’s life and works into cinema was no small feat.

With unwavering confidence, Mishra brought together a strong team:

• Director: N. Gopalkrishna
• Cinematographer: Partha Sarathi
• Music Director: Upendra Kumar
• Dance Director: Guru Pankaj Charan Das

To capture the essence of the poet, the soundtrack featured five of Bhanja’s timeless compositions alongside two original songs by Mishra. These classics – such as Kanta Bina Diba Rajani Sajani and Dekhi Naba Kalika Bakalika Malika – were rendered by celebrated voices like Raghunath Pradhan, Sikandar Alam, Jagannath Panigrahi, S. Janaki, and H.P. Geeta. The recording took place at AVM Studio in Madras, with post-production at V.D.S. Lab.

Songs

• Kanta Bina Diba Rajani Sajani (Singer: S. Janaki | Lyrics: Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja)
• Dekhi Naba Kalika Bakalika Malika (Singer: Sikander Alam | Lyrics: Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja)
• Mallimala Shayamaku Debi (Singer: H. P. Geeta, Jagannath Panigrahi | Lyrics: Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja)
• Aja Dekhilire Nabin Bayasi Bala (Singer: Unknown | Lyrics: Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja)
• Aha Mo Jiban Dhani Jibane Ki Thibare (Singer: Raghunath Pradhan | Lyrics: Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja)
• Aja Dekhilire Nabin Bayasi Bala (Singer: Sikander Alam)
• Jhulare Haathi Jhula (Singer: H. P. Geeta | Lyrics: Natyashree Raghunath Mishra)
• Janani Bhavani Tu Ambika Shivani (Singer: S. Janaki | Lyrics: Natyashree Raghunath Mishra)

The Star Cast and Behind-the-Scenes Magic

The film boasted an ensemble cast, including Chakrapani, Rabi Ray, Raghunath Mishra, Banchanidh Satapathy, Bholanath Das, Narendra Behera (Nari), David, Bhaskara Patra, Bhagavan, Umarman, Rajendra Sahu, Radhakrishna, Achyutananda, Dr. Krushnachandra Jena, Rajendra Patra, Rojarmani, Jyotsna, Vinodini, Neelima, Vandana, and several others.

Art direction was handled by Gannath Jena and Ashok Pandey, with costumes and makeup coming from Veenapani Chitralay in Brahmapur. Editing was done by Ravi and Raman.

The Roadblocks and the Release

Bringing Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja to life was no easy task. Financial hurdles, production challenges, and distribution limitations tested Mishra’s resolve. Finally, after overcoming numerous obstacles, the film was released on 22nd December 1978 at Hind Cinema in Cuttack.

Mishra’s dream was to create a truly original Odia film – one that celebrated the cultural soul of Odisha and honored its literary heritage. Unfortunately, despite his sincere efforts, the film didn’t achieve the success he had hoped for. One major reason was its technical and production limitations, which failed to meet audience expectations. Shri Laxmi Films of Cuttack served as its global distributor.

Movie Artwork

Legacy of a Brave Attempt

Though Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja did not become a commercial triumph, it stands as a testament to Raghunath Mishra’s passion and determination to uphold Odia culture on the big screen. In an era dominated by remakes, his decision to tell the story of Odisha’s greatest poet was bold, patriotic, and deeply significant.

The film may not have achieved box-office glory, but it etched its place in the history of Odia cinema as a rare and heartfelt attempt to merge literature with film. For those who value cultural preservation, Mishra’s vision remains an inspiration even today.

Reference: Odia Chalachitra Ra Agyat Adhyaya by Bhim Singh