The Bhima Bhoi Research Chair at KISS Deemed to be University in collaboration with the Internal Quality Assurance Cell and the Bhima Bhoi Research Chair at G. M. University, Sambalpur organised a Distinguished Lecture Series-2 on the theme “The Relevance of Bhima Bhoi in the Present Context” on 3rd November 2023.
The meeting was presided over by Professor Deepak Kumar Behera, Vice Chancellor, KISS-DU. Welcoming the distinguished guests who were present physically and in on-line mode, Professor Behera said that all the bhajans (total – 10) of Bhima Bhoi which have been presented on various seminars on the life and works of Bhima Bhoi by the cultural troupe should be digitally documented, compiled and recorded for future research at the Research Hub of the University. In his introductory address, Dr. Prashanta Kumar Routray, Registrar, KISS-DU expressed his views about the functioning of the Research Chairs and laid emphasis on more publication and research on Bhima Bhoi and his contribution to the society.
Bhima Bhoi Research Chair Professor Harischandra Sahoo introduced the distinguished speaker Professor Pabitra Mohan Nayak, who is one of the pioneers in the field of Bhima Bhoi Research in Odisha. His “Voice of Silence” and “Subaltern Voice” are two significant works published in English by Odisha Sahitya Akademi. Professor Nayak has done extensive research on Bhima Bhoi and edited two volumes of Bhima Bhoi Granthavali (in Odia) Published by Friends Publishers, Cuttack in 2018 and 2020 respectively. It was an honour for the Research Chair to host Professor Pabitra Mohan Nayak as the distinguished speaker for the Lecture series-2. The first Lecture in the series was delivered by Professor Ishita Banerjee Dubey, E.I. College, Mexico on 22nd December 2022.
Professor N. Nagaraju, Vice Chancellor of G. M. University, Sambalpur, expressed his satisfaction over the joint venture of KISS-DU and G. M. University in respect of the research undertaken by both the Chairs on Bhima Bhoi.
Professor P.M. Nayak gave a description of Santha Kabi Bhima Bhoi belonging to a tribal domain (Kondh) of Western Odisha and his brief life history which included some of the major challenges faced by him like surviving without food and shelter and atrocities by the people of his locality. But at the same time, he was praying to his lord (Mahima Gosain) to save the world from the impending danger and the clutches of the ruling class like the Kings, the Zamindars and the Gountias. Bhima for the first time declared that his Dharma (Mahima Dharma) is open to all (male and female). He was the champion of woman emancipation and woman liberation. He was revolting against the prevailing social system. If today, we talk of woman liberation in the context of Feminism, a long ago, Bhima had raised his voice for woman liberation, Prof. Nayak stated, adding that he was propagating universal love, brotherhood and fellow feelings.
The Chair Professor Dr. Haris Chandra Sahoo offered the vote of thanks to Professor Pabitra Mohan Nayak, Professor Priyadarshi Kar (Ravenshaw University) and other dignitaries and the students for their unwavering support in making the event a grand success.