Dasharathi Pattanaik, fondly known as Dasia Aja, was born on July 12, 1907, in Udaypur, Nayagarh, to Banchhanidhi Pattanaik and Parvati Devi. Despite limited formal education—he dropped out of school in class six—Dasia Aja developed an insatiable thirst for knowledge, nurturing a lifelong love for reading.
Humble Beginnings and Early Life
Dasia Aja's early life was marked by hard work in various jobs, including laborer, chef, clerk, and superintendent of surveys, as well as roles in the police and education departments. Despite these numerous occupations, he felt unfulfilled. Choosing a life closer to the soil, he quit these jobs and took to farming, transforming hilly land into fertile fields to support his family. This earned him the nickname “Khuntatada Raja” (King of the Plow), a tribute to his self-reliance.
The Uncommon Common Man
Standing tall and frail in his Khadi attire, with a red turban (Theka) on his head, a Khadi bag slung over his shoulder, and a long lathi in hand, Dasia Aja appeared to be a simple man. However, beneath this modest exterior lay a visionary whose mission was to ignite a library movement in Odisha. His passion for libraries and learning, instilled by a schoolteacher, led him on a lifelong quest to spread the importance of libraries and reading among the people of Odisha.
A Journey of Knowledge
At the age of fifty, Dasia Aja entrusted his farmland to his wife and mother and embarked on a remarkable journey. With just five books in a trunk, he traveled across Odisha, collecting books, magazines, antiques, and rare artifacts. His goal was to create institutions that would serve as centers of knowledge for future generations.
Founding of Banchhanidhi Pathagar and Aurobindo Sangrahalaya
In 1959, Dasia Aja established the "Banchhanidhi Pathagar" in honor of his father. It began as a modest library but eventually grew into one of Odisha’s most significant literary landmarks. In 1973, he expanded his vision by founding the "Sri Aurobindo Sangrahalaya," a museum dedicated to preserving rare and valuable artifacts from around the world.
A Treasure Trove of Knowledge
Today, the Banchhanidhi Pathagar houses over 50,000 books, many of them rare and ancient publications from various languages and countries. The library boasts an impressive collection of more than 65,000 magazines, periodicals, and journals, along with 2,500 newspaper backfiles. Additionally, it holds 5,000 palm-leaf manuscripts, some over a century old.
The Sri Aurobindo Sangrahalaya is equally remarkable. Divided into 42 sections, it showcases an array of rare and historical artifacts, including:
- Radiated soil from Hiroshima, collected after the Second World War.
- Fragments of the Berlin Wall from Germany.
- Soil samples from the surface of the moon.
- Fossils of a dinosaur.
The museum also features an art and craft gallery with traditional Patta paintings, contemporary works, and rare sculptures. Its armory section displays cannons, swords, and other weapons from medieval to modern times.
Cultural Contributions
Dasia Aja’s contributions were not limited to books and artifacts. He founded the "Jadumani Sahitya Sansad," named after the revered Odia poet Jadumani. This literary society hosts cultural and literary events, seminars, exhibitions, and conferences, while also honoring individuals who have made significant contributions to art, culture, literature, and social service in Odisha.
A Lasting Legacy
Dasia Aja’s tireless efforts to promote literacy and preserve history earned him recognition as the "Father of the Library Movement in Odisha." His Banchhanidhi Pathagar and Sri Aurobindo Sangrahalaya were declared tourism spots by the Odisha government, cementing his legacy as a pioneer who transformed local institutions into cultural marvels. Though he passed on, Dasia Aja left behind a treasure trove of knowledge and a legacy of learning that will continue to enrich future generations.
In conclusion, Dasharathi Pattanaik—Dasia Aja—single-handedly built institutions that serve as beacons of knowledge, history, and culture. His life stands as a testament to the transformative power of education and the indomitable spirit of one man’s dedication to enriching the lives of others.