Ramesh Prasad Mohapatra
Encyclopedia
Ramesh Prasad Mohapatra was an archaeologist and scholar on Orissan Studies. He served as curator
for archaeology at the Orissa State Museum from 1963 to 1989 and made important contributions to historical research especially in the fields of archaeology
, art history
, religion
, and other aspects of Orissan cultural history.
family with connections to the Royal family of Dhenkanal
, something that greatly helped him in his later work on Military History of Orissa. He was the eldest son of Sitanath Paramguru, then the Zamindar
of the village, and Moti Devi and married to Kusum Mohapatra.
Mohapatra received his Master's degree
in History
from Ravenshaw College
in Cuttack, India and obtained a diploma from the Delhi School of Archaeology of the Archaeological Survey of India
, New Delhi
. He obtained his Ph.D.
for his work on the Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves
from Utkal University
, Bhubaneswar
in 1976. His thesis outlines the importance of the twin caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri in the development of Indian art and architecture, associated with the Kalinga emperor Kharavela
. These caves represent the earliest examples of Jaina
architecture in India. In 1979, Mohapatra obtained a D.Litt.
from Utkal University
for his work Jaina Monuments of Orissa, presenting a systematic study of Jaina monuments of Orissa.
Mohapatra was initiated to historical research by N. K. Sahu with whom he had worked in 1962 (Utkal University History of Orissa, vol I, 1964, preface). After joining the Orissa state museum as curator
for archaeology, he took up research in field archaeology and Orissan art under the guidance of K. C. Panigrahi.
Mohapatra's reference book Archaeology in Orissa published in two volumes, presents details of prehistoric and historical archaeology in the thirteen districts of Orissa. His collection of art-treasures, antiquities, and archaeological artifacts collected in the course of his field work is now in the Orissa State Museum.
Mohapatra served on many committees both nationally and internationally. He was nominated as a member of the Orissa Lalit Kala Akademi.
Note: O.H.R.J : Orissa Historical Research Journal
Curator
A curator is a manager or overseer. Traditionally, a curator or keeper of a cultural heritage institution is a content specialist responsible for an institution's collections and involved with the interpretation of heritage material...
for archaeology at the Orissa State Museum from 1963 to 1989 and made important contributions to historical research especially in the fields of archaeology
Archaeology
Archaeology, or archeology , is the study of human society, primarily through the recovery and analysis of the material culture and environmental data that they have left behind, which includes artifacts, architecture, biofacts and cultural landscapes...
, art history
Art history
Art history has historically been understood as the academic study of objects of art in their historical development and stylistic contexts, i.e. genre, design, format, and style...
, religion
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
, and other aspects of Orissan cultural history.
Early life and education
Mohapatra was born in an orthodox BrahminBrahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
family with connections to the Royal family of Dhenkanal
Dhenkanal (princely state)
Dhenkanal is now Dhenkanal district, which is situated in Orissa State, India, with Dhenkanal town as its district headquarters. This article describes the history of the princely state.-16th century:In the year 1529 A.D...
, something that greatly helped him in his later work on Military History of Orissa. He was the eldest son of Sitanath Paramguru, then the Zamindar
Zamindar
A Zamindar or zemindar , was an aristocrat, typically hereditary, who held enormous tracts of land and ruled over and taxed the bhikaaris who lived on batavaslam. Over time, they took princely and royal titles such as Maharaja , Raja , Nawab , and Mirza , Chowdhury , among others...
of the village, and Moti Devi and married to Kusum Mohapatra.
Mohapatra received his Master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in History
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
from Ravenshaw College
Ravenshaw College
Ravenshaw College is located in Cuttack, India.The college was established in 1878 for Thomas Edward Ravenshaw, a descendant of William Withers...
in Cuttack, India and obtained a diploma from the Delhi School of Archaeology of the Archaeological Survey of India
Archaeological Survey of India
The Archaeological Survey of India is a department of the Government of India, attached to the Ministry of Culture . The ASI is responsible for archaeological studies and the preservation of archaeological heritage of the country in accordance with the various acts of the Indian Parliament...
, New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
. He obtained his Ph.D.
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
for his work on the Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves
Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves
Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves are partly natural and partly artificial caves of archaeological, historical and religious importance near the city of Bhubaneswar in Orissa, India. The caves are situated on two hills Udayagiri and Khandagiri, mentioned as Kumari Parvat in Hathigumpha inscription...
from Utkal University
Utkal University
Utkal University, Bhubaneswar is the oldest university in Orissa and the 17th oldest university in India. It is a teaching-cum-affiliating university that has produced some of the best brains in Orissa. There are at 26 post-graduate departments at the university campus for studies and research in...
, Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar is the capital of the Indian state of Orissa, officially Odisha. The city has a long history of over 2000 years starting with Chedi dynasty who had Sisupalgarh near present-day Bhubaneswar as their capital...
in 1976. His thesis outlines the importance of the twin caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri in the development of Indian art and architecture, associated with the Kalinga emperor Kharavela
Kharavela
Khārabēḷa was the third and greatest emperor of the Mahāmēghabāhana Dynasty of Kaḷinga . The main source of information about Khārabeḷa is his famous seventeen line rock-cut Hātigumphā inscription in a cave in the Udayagiri hills near Bhubaneswar, Orissa.During the reign of Khārabēḷa, the Chedi...
. These caves represent the earliest examples of Jaina
Jainism
Jainism is an Indian religion that prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of self-effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation. Any soul that has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state...
architecture in India. In 1979, Mohapatra obtained a D.Litt.
Doctor of Letters
Doctor of Letters is a university academic degree, often a higher doctorate which is frequently awarded as an honorary degree in recognition of outstanding scholarship or other merits.-Commonwealth:...
from Utkal University
Utkal University
Utkal University, Bhubaneswar is the oldest university in Orissa and the 17th oldest university in India. It is a teaching-cum-affiliating university that has produced some of the best brains in Orissa. There are at 26 post-graduate departments at the university campus for studies and research in...
for his work Jaina Monuments of Orissa, presenting a systematic study of Jaina monuments of Orissa.
Mohapatra was initiated to historical research by N. K. Sahu with whom he had worked in 1962 (Utkal University History of Orissa, vol I, 1964, preface). After joining the Orissa state museum as curator
Curator
A curator is a manager or overseer. Traditionally, a curator or keeper of a cultural heritage institution is a content specialist responsible for an institution's collections and involved with the interpretation of heritage material...
for archaeology, he took up research in field archaeology and Orissan art under the guidance of K. C. Panigrahi.
Mohapatra's reference book Archaeology in Orissa published in two volumes, presents details of prehistoric and historical archaeology in the thirteen districts of Orissa. His collection of art-treasures, antiquities, and archaeological artifacts collected in the course of his field work is now in the Orissa State Museum.
Mohapatra served on many committees both nationally and internationally. He was nominated as a member of the Orissa Lalit Kala Akademi.
Selected articles
| Serial No. | Article Name | Published On(Source) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gridles as depicted in temple sculpture of Bhubaneswar | O.H.R.J, Vol. XII/1 |
| 2 | Two Patta Paintings of Jagannath in Orissa State Museum | O.H.R.J, Vol. XIII/4 |
| 3 | Names of the Caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri | O.H.R.J, Vol. XXII/3&4 |
| 4 | Winged and Enigmatic animal figures in Udayagiri caves of Orissa | O.H.R.J, Vol. XXIII/1-4 |
| 5 | Position of Women as depicted in the early sculptures of Udayagiri and Khandagiri | O.H.R.J, Vol. XXIV,XXv and XXVI |
| 6 | Tradition in Architecture | Art Tradition of Orissa, Orissa Sahitya Academy, Bhubaneswar, 1982 |
| 7 | Krishna Theme in Orissan sculpture | O.H.R.J, Vol. XXXI No. 2,3,4 |
| 8 | Folk elements of Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves in Orissa | International Seminar on Folk Culture, 1978, Edited by Prof. K. S. Behera etc. |
| 9 | Tirthankar and Sasanadevis of Khandagiri Caves | In proceedings of International Seminar on Buddhism and Jainaism |
| 10 | Architecture of Jaina religion shrines of Orissa | Bharati, Prof. R. C. Majumdar Volume, Dept. of Ancient Indian History and Culture, Banaras Hindu University, Banaras |
| 11 | Problem of Kalinga Jina | in Krishna Pratibha, Commemoration volume for Dr. K. C. Panigrahi, Edited by Dr. H. C. Das etc. |
Note: O.H.R.J : Orissa Historical Research Journal