Ramakrushna Nanda

Family

Nanda's father was Madhusudan Nanda (d. 1892). His mother died in 1951. In 1925, Nanda married Soudamini Devi (d. 13 August 1988). They had eight daughters and one son. Nanda's younger brother was Dinakrushna Nanda.

Education

Nanda was educated in the village of Kantapada, and at the Revenshwa collegiate school, Cuttack. He wrote for a school magazine, Chandrika. At the time of Independence of India, Nanda was inspired by a local leader, Gopobandhu and became a Swecha Sebaka, a volunteer. He stayed in Alkasrama,until continuing his studies at Satybadi Jatiya Bidyalaya, where he learnt Devnagiri, a type of Indian alphabet. Nanda also matriculated from the English medium school and later received a bachelor of education.

Career

Nanda began his career as a teacher at Banki school. He was then, for six years, an assistant teacher at Baripada high school. In 1933, Nanda became a social worker. He began a local welfare organization called Narayan Samiti. He was also a head master at Bhingarpur high school.

Writing

Nanda's first textbook in the Odia language was Sahitya Sopana. In 1946, he left this job and came back to Cuttack. On 21 July 1947, Nanda opened Parijata press. In August 1952, he began the Sansar magazine. The press closed in 1961. In retirement, Nanda wrote children's books and songs. Of the form nanabaya, (nonsense rhyme), Nanada said,"

"Unintelligibility or irrelevance does not reduce the value of nanbaya. The rhythm and style is unique. Sometimes the meanings are unclear or impossible to ascertain. In English, some of these rhymes are called 'nonsense' or meaningless rhymes. By defying the metrical prescriptions and grammatical conventions, the spontaneity of these rhymes endear themselves to children."

Lyricist

Nanda's lyrics for Aahe Dayamaya Bishwa Bihari and Holi Holi Re Holi Ranga Rangeli Nali. were used in the 1978 film, Balidaan .