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Gangadhar Meher Born in a weaver family in the village of Barpali of Bargarh district, Gangadhar Meher’s place in the field of Oriya literature is unique. As an early 20th century poet, Gangadhar Meher was director in Oriya poetry. His subtle interpretation of nature earned him the sobriquet “Wordsworth of Orissa”. With a diction that belonged to the roots of Oriya ethos, the poet handled with felicity the subject of nature. His language was earthly but the treatment metaphysical. The famous autonomous college at Sambalpur has been named after him as “Gangadhar Meher College, Sambalpur”.
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Parbati Giri Born on 19th January 1926 in village Samaleipadar of Bargarh district, Parbati Giri was just 16 when she was in the forefront of agitation following Mahatma Gandhi’s “Quit India” call. She continued to serve the nation socially after independence. She opened an orphanage at Paikmal village and devoted rest of her life for the welfare of orphans. She is well known as the “Mother Taresa of Western Orissa”.
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Padmashree Krutartha Acharya Born on 20th March 1900 in a brahmin family in Dabkatikra village of Bargarh district, Padmashree Krutartha Acharya pioneered in making the Sambalpuri design and fabric based on “Tie and Dye” method inside and outside the country. He established the Sambalpuri Bastralaya in 1930 and subsequently formed a Cooperative Societies of weavers of the district and the nearby districts.
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Padmashree Kunjabihari Meher Born in 1928 is a resident of Barpali. He is one of the geniuses who have endeavored to enrich and glorify the splendid style of Sambalpuri fabrics at home and abroad. Being an ardent and devoted artist of Sambalpuri Ikat, he may be rightly called as KALA-GOURAV (Glory of Art) for his extraordinary skill, keen but delicate use of imaginative power, invention of new designs and his constant efforts to popularize Sambalpuri Handloom fabrics (Tie & Dye) at home and aboard. The artistry of this great master of weaving have been preserved in Port History Museum of U.S.A. and Museum of Germany besides State and National Museum of India. He has been honoured by Utkal, Sambalpur and Berhampur Universities of Orissa, State Award by Govt. of Orissa and National Award by Govt. of India. The President of India honoured him with “PADMASHREE” Samman in 1998. He was also presented with Honourary Felicitation of Liberty Bell by Governor of Philadelphia (U.S.A.). His live demonstration of Sambalpuri Ikat weavings at Philadelphia (USA), Hongkong and London were highly appreciated.
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Surendra Meher Born in 1959. This master weaver of Barpali, is the youngest son of legendary Ikat weaver Padmashree Kunjabihari Meher. After graduating from Sambalpur University he devoted himself in innovating and experimenting new design in age old traditional art of Sambalpuri Ikat art to make it a contemporary achievement with the touch of modernity. His intricate and beautiful works can never be replaced by machine because the spirit is part of the craft. This young artist created record by being awarded the State Award of Orissa for three years consecutively. He also received National Award in 1991 and Kalanidhi Award in 1993. He represented the country in “India Week” exhibition at Algurair Centre, Dubai (UAE) and “India – A Celebration” at Asian Art Museum, Sansfransisco, USA in 1997. His classic creation have been permanently in display in the Art Gallery of Crafts Museum, New Delhi and Asian Art Museum, Sasnfransisco, USA.
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Manabodh Rana Born in 1959 of Barpali specializes in Terracotta roof tiles. Each roof tile made of mixture of black and red clays has a figure of an animal, bird or human being perched on top of it. With a simple potter’s wheel, he can fashion out of clay decorative elephants, lamps, images of Lord Ganesh which have brought laurels to him from different parts of India and abroad. He has shown live demonstration of this indigenous folk art at N.H.&H. Museum, New Delhi, Craft Bazars, Calcutta,, Chennai, Bangalore, Surajkund. He represented the country for live demonstration of this art in Japan (1988) and Denmark (1994). He is the recipient of National Award (1986) and Kalanidhi Award (1991) and Special Recognition from Japan. Doordarshan telecast a special feature on him is SURABHI Programme in September 1991 and STAR TV in 1996.
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