By Manas Ranjan Mahapatra
It was so refreshing to speak to Adhyapak Biswaranjan the other day. He was our dear teacher, but my wife was a much favourite student than I. In the release function of her poetry book he not only chaired but lauded the unique beauty of her creativity.But in spite of the fact ,he remained our beloved teacher.
This morning I was thinking of Adhyapak Biswaranjan. One of our most favorite teachers,we learnt the art of how to compare or say,anchor a poetry reading or poets’ meet in our college days….over four decades ago.He was those days an eloquent versatile public speaker,storyteller,poet,coordinator of events and,obviously, a learned person.
Both my wife Sailabala and I in our college days were his students,though I was feeling those days that Sailabala is a more favorite student than I.How funny those days were !
Time has changed ,but Adhyapak Biswaranjan has not changed much.The only change is,he is not in Puri,we have not met for some time.He is as busy as he was in literary and cultural circles.Has been very close to power circles,but has never been after parties or people.In the literary front,has not got a major award ,but his readership in Odisha is tremendous.I am informed that English translation of his book is forthcoming.
Why this morning I remembered him after seeing the Government sponsored newspaper Sakala….he was editor of the newspaper once owned by Pyarimohan Mahapatra,then advisor of the CM and kingmaker of Odisha.Possibly,the newspaper faced the same fate as Pyaribabu had.
Why Adhyapak Biswaranjan did not join any other newspaper,I am yet to find an answer.
