Sarala Das

Sarala Das Biography

Sarala Das, also known as Sarala Dasa was the first scholar from Oriya language who played a significant role in the development of Oriya literature. He lived in the 15^th century and his major works are Mahabharata, Vilanka Ramayana and Chandi Purana. His works are regarded as great inspirations to writers later. There is no clear evidence about the correct birth date or life style of Sarala. Sarala Dasa spent his last time at Bila Sarala.

He was born as Siddheswar Parida at Kanakavati Patana, known as Kanakapura in Jagatsinghpur District. His exact date of birth is not known, yet safely placed under second half of 15^th century. In his written work of Mahabharata, there are indications that he served as a soldier in the army of the Gajapati King of Orissa. He didn’t have any systematic education and everything he learnt was through self-education. He was a great devotee of Sarala, goddess of devotion and inspiration. Thus Siddheswar Parida came to be later known as Sarala Das. There is a popular folklore connecting Sarala Devi and Siddheswar Parida, and her guidance to make him a great writer – similar to the story of Goddess Kali and Kalidasa.

Mahabharata, Vilanka Ramayana and Chandi Purana are the best three known works of Sarala Das. They are based on Hindu epics and mythological stories. Similar to 18 parvas of Mahabharata, his work too has similar parvas starting with Adi Parva, a long invocation addressed to the Lord Jagannatha of Puri. It’s believed that he started writing Mahabharata from Puri. He followed the main outline of the Sanskrit Mahabharata in writing, yet made some deviations and added his imaginations as well.

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Updated: February 28, 2014