Dear Editor,
For last 100 years Bengalis have been demanding that Sri Jayadev, composer of Geeia-Govinda belongs to Bengal state.But,according to historical research Jayadeva was born in Kenduli Sasan (formerly Kendubilva), in the Prachi valley, Khurda district in Orissa.
Kenduli Sasan is a village near the holy city of Purusottama Dham (Puri).The majority opinion holds in favor of Orissa (formerly Kalinga) not Bengal.Not only Oriya texts but also The Assamese text, Sampradaya Kula Dipak as well as the Telugu text, Sanskruta Kabi Jivani, contain elaborate de scri ptions of the poet’s birth taking place near the Jagannath Dham in Orissa.
Apart from historical research, Jayadev himself also has directly written where his birth place is.Jayadeva mentions his birthplace as “Kendubilva by the sea” (“Kendubilva Samudra Sambhava”) in his 7th Ashtapadi, and Birbhum, unlike Puri, does not about on the sea.
Ashish Chakraborty, a noted Bengali researcher, said recently the language, culture, presentation of religious rituals, song and drama depicted in Gitagovinda have deep connection with ancient Orissa.
Jayadev’s Geeta Govinda is called as the heart of the Oddisi dance and music.If some one will come to Orissa,he/she can find how the influence of Geeta-Govinda in culture of Orissa.
It is deeply connected with Jagannath culture and day to day daily life of people of Orissa.It really painful for people of Orissa by saying Jaydev does not belong to Orissa.
His origin is at Orissa.He was the pride son of Utkal Janani (Mother Orissa).Oriya people won’t excuse if some one tries to separate “Sri Jaydev” from Orissian culture.
Bijaya Ketan Sahu
Kolkata