Abani Chandra Das, Bhubaneswar, 28 April 2023
Many years ago, a beautiful song was included in the syllabus of the class – III Odia literature book for children – “Tuma Pari Chhota Pila Tiye” (meaning, A Small Child Like You) – composed by Dr. Jagannath Mohanty. The boy whose intelligence, honesty, truthfulness, fearlessness, passion for learning, love for the village and community service, and organizational skills were narrated to the students, was not only the best student of the village primary school, but went on to become a fiercely gifted patriot, a unique master of his mother tongue Odia, and was able to establish himself as the great spell caster of the nation. He was the great glory of the nation, the genius Madhusudan Das.
From a single incident in his childhood, his entire life and character can be inferred. Once, when he reached school in dirty and wet clothes, his teacher asked him what had happened and how he became so dirty. The boy said that while coming quickly to school, his feet fell in the mud and he slipped and fell down. In the process, he got covered in water and mud.
The fact that he came to school despite dirtying his clothes, without any fear, and presented a clear and bold answer to the teacher, impressed that teacher and other teachers too.
He was so interested in reading that he became a symbol of inspiration for all tiny children. That’s probably why an inspirational poem was taught to children to instill in their minds similar feelings about reading – “I will read the lesson, I will read the lesson, I will ride on the black horse, and I will fight with Madhu Babu.” A child of the next generation will become a great man after studying like Madhusudan.
The boy (Govinda Ballabh) was born to Chaudhuri Raghunath Das, a landlord of Satyabhamapur village in Cuttack district, and his wife, Parvati Devi, on April 28, 1848. He was the first Odia graduate, first Odia Master’s degree holder, first Odia law graduate, first Odia Legislative Council Member, and first Odia to travel abroad. Madhusudan showed organizational skills by inspiring others with his involvement in education, civilization, and social service since his childhood.
After growing up, how could he not be devoted to the welfare of the nation? Madhusudan, who managed to build a flat road to his village by organizing his fellow mates during his Dussehra puja vacation, and later who was able to organize the entire Odia community for national identity was a born leader. His extraordinary efforts to bring about economic progress by making the countrymen self-reliant remain unforgettable.
When Mahatma Gandhi came to Odisha, he was inspired by Madhu Babu’s love for the country, and his hard work for the down trodden people of the society. Gandhiji’s “Swadeshi” Movement and “Gramya Swaraj” was realized in Odisha by Madhu Babu. At that time, Madhu Babu’s ‘Utkal Tannery’ and ‘Orissa Filigree Industry’ had found a place on the world economic map and created a unique example of social and economic progress through small enterprises and cottage industries. He thought that the economic development of almost 80 percent of the people of the country would be possible if agriculture-based industrialization was developed.
Today, when the people of different languages of our country are anxious for their own cultural identity, Madhusudan was the first speaker of that thought and consciousness. He was not only making efforts for the upliftment of the Odia people, but he was educating all the countrymen in the great Indian consciousness. He continued to strive to raise the standard of living of every citizen of our country. He dedicated himself to the freedom struggle of India with the aim of freedom of our country from foreign clutches while keeping the integrity of the country intact. Madhusudan, one of the front line leaders of the Indian National Congress, strongly opposed British rule.
During the British rule in India, women were deprived of equal rights with men. The revolutionary role played by Madhusudan Das has been recorded in the pages of history. His visionary efforts towards women’s education, and women’s empowerment will remain as a source of inspiration forever. In spite of all social and political obstacles, he ensured Sailabala and Sudanshubala’s higher education and was able to realize his emotional fantasy. Madhu Babu took the ultimate step in giving official recognition to Sudhansubala’s legal education and professional legal practice. He created an opportunity for women to practice law by eliminating gender discrimination in the legal profession. Barrister Madhusudan Das, with his intellectual thought, infinite knowledge, and discerning intellect, was able to persuade the Central Legislature to make the necessary amendments to the Legal Practitioners’ Act.
Not only as a legal expert, but also as a social reformer, patriot, and public servant, Madhu Babu has become the idol of millions of hearts by showing his dedication towards the country throughout his life.
Among his many achievements, it would be appropriate to narrate a special incident here. In 1885, the British government issued an order to control the world’s greatest Hindu religious temple – “Shri Jagannath Temple” located at Puri Shrikshetra Dham – and keep it under its control. Gajapati Mukund Dev, the King of Puri, was a minor and, hence, his mother and guardian, Maharani Suryamani Pattamahadei, filed a suit in this regard in the Civil Court and failed. The lower court passed orders in favor of the British government. A receiver was appointed to keep all the properties of the temple under British administration. But at the request of the Maharani, Madhusudan went to Calcutta to appeal against this verdict in the High Court and sought the advice of legal experts like Guru Das Banerjee, Evans, and Udruff. But they discouraged Madhu Babu by saying that there was no chance of winning.
Deeply disturbed by the prospects of the best religious temple of India coming under the British administration and our sacred traditional affairs being destroyed by foreigners, Madhusudan displayed courage, patience, and determination and appealed before the High Court against the British administration. He presented very strong arguments in his own elegant manner. Madhu Babu’s main argument was the following:
According to the scriptures, Lord Jagannath’s world-famous car festival has to be performed only by Gajapati, the King of Puri. This is the honour of the entire Odia community, the unique tradition of Hindus! While there is no custom in any country or state for a king to perform a ritualistic act, Gajapati of Utkal observes this humanitarian ritual during the procession of car festival of Lord Shri Jagannath. So, how can that be violated?
In this context, it can be said that even as a Christian, Madhusudan raised a strong voice for the dignity and protection of the holy Hindu temple. Judges in the Court were stunned that day. Finally, Madhu Babu won the case and came out triumphant! The final judgement was announced to free the temple, which is the most revered for Hindus, from the hands of the British Administration. This was one of the most important chapters in the life of the genius Madhusudan Das. He remains a National icon and resides in the hearts of millions of Indians.
Madhusudan Das is a shining gem of our country with so many remarkable achievements. He is already “Utkal Gourab” for millions of Odias. For his invaluable contributions to the nation, he ought to be posthumously conferred with the title of “Bharat Ratna”. This will be the nation’s best tribute to him on his 175th birth anniversary.
