Bhagabati Charan Panigrahi

Bhagabati Charan Panigrahi, in his short literary career, wrote around 12 short stories. One of his notable short stories was Shikaar. The story captured the life of the tribal communities of Odisha, and the exploitation by British to control and suppress their revolt.[3] The story was made into a film Mrigayaa (1976) by Mrinal Sen. In 2016, an Odia language play was also written and staged based on the same story.[4]

In November 1935, in collaboration with Ananta Patnaik and others, he formed a literary organisation "Nabayuga Sahitya Sansad" (transl. New Age Literary Society).[5] Very soon it became famous and played significant role to foster new ideas in modern Odia literature.[6][7] In 1936, he edited a magazine called Adhunika.[6]

Bhagabati Charan, in his youth and in the beginning of his political career was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's political ideology. Later he became associated with Congress Socialist Party.[5] Panigrahi, along with Guru Charan Patnaik, and Comrade Prananath Patnaik formed the Communist Party of Odisha on 1 April 1936. Panigrahi was the first state secretary of the party.[8] Panigrahi was associated with the party and the communist ideology till his death.[9]

On 23 October 1943, Panigrahi was found dead under mysterious circumstances At that time he was undergoind detention by the British. The death certificate reported he died because of unknown illness, however there was speculations that he was tortured to death.[10]

• Fakir Mohan Senapati, Odia writer