Bhubaneswar, Feb 2 (PTI) – Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday unveiled the republished original edition of Barnabodha, the iconic Odia primer written by ‘Bhaktakabi’ Madhusudan Rao. The book, republished by Odia Bhasa Pratisthana, retains its original content with only color enhancements, as confirmed by an official.
Speaking at an event commemorating Rao’s birth anniversary, Majhi emphasized that bringing back Barnabodha in its original form is a fitting tribute to the legendary writer. He announced that the state government would print and distribute 10,000 copies of the book this year.
First published in 1895, Barnabodha emerged at a time when the Odia language and community were striving for recognition. The primer effectively teaches letters, characters, consonants, words, and sentence formation to young learners in a simple yet structured manner. Majhi noted that the book has been an integral part of Odia households for generations. Its immense popularity led to the release of eight editions between 1895 and 1901.
“There is no alternative to Barnabodha even after 130 years. It remains essential for learning pure Odia,” Majhi said. He highlighted that the modern education system emphasizes joyful learning through visuals and interactive methods, an approach pioneered by Madhusudan Rao long before it became an educational norm.
At the event, the chief minister, along with Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, MLA Babu Singh, and senior officials, also launched the digital edition of Barnabodha along with three other books. The program also saw the felicitation of Rao’s family members.
Meanwhile, OLLC department joint secretary Deba Prasad Dash addressed concerns regarding previous modifications to Barnabodha. He noted that a new edition had been published a few years ago, but Rao’s descendants and scholars objected to the alterations, leading to a legal battle in the Orissa High Court. The court issued a stay order on its distribution and publication.
“A version titled Chabila Madhu Barnabodha is still being sold with several modifications. To honor Rao’s original work, we have republished the 1901 edition without any changes—only adding color,” Dash clarified. He emphasized that since this was the last edition published before Rao’s passing in 1912, it stands as the most authentic version available.
With this initiative, the Odisha government reinforces its commitment to preserving Odia literature and linguistic heritage, ensuring that Barnabodha continues to guide future generations.
Speaking at an event commemorating Rao’s birth anniversary, Majhi emphasized that bringing back Barnabodha in its original form is a fitting tribute to the legendary writer. He announced that the state government would print and distribute 10,000 copies of the book this year.
First published in 1895, Barnabodha emerged at a time when the Odia language and community were striving for recognition. The primer effectively teaches letters, characters, consonants, words, and sentence formation to young learners in a simple yet structured manner. Majhi noted that the book has been an integral part of Odia households for generations. Its immense popularity led to the release of eight editions between 1895 and 1901.
“There is no alternative to Barnabodha even after 130 years. It remains essential for learning pure Odia,” Majhi said. He highlighted that the modern education system emphasizes joyful learning through visuals and interactive methods, an approach pioneered by Madhusudan Rao long before it became an educational norm.
At the event, the chief minister, along with Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, MLA Babu Singh, and senior officials, also launched the digital edition of Barnabodha along with three other books. The program also saw the felicitation of Rao’s family members.
Meanwhile, OLLC department joint secretary Deba Prasad Dash addressed concerns regarding previous modifications to Barnabodha. He noted that a new edition had been published a few years ago, but Rao’s descendants and scholars objected to the alterations, leading to a legal battle in the Orissa High Court. The court issued a stay order on its distribution and publication.
“A version titled Chabila Madhu Barnabodha is still being sold with several modifications. To honor Rao’s original work, we have republished the 1901 edition without any changes—only adding color,” Dash clarified. He emphasized that since this was the last edition published before Rao’s passing in 1912, it stands as the most authentic version available.
With this initiative, the Odisha government reinforces its commitment to preserving Odia literature and linguistic heritage, ensuring that Barnabodha continues to guide future generations.
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