Morning shows the day. An extraordinary talent is identified from his childhood. He can confront the trials and tribulations standing as barriers in his life's journey by tireless and troublesome endeurance to achieve his goal. Such a burning example is the Artist Sri Krushna Chandra Rath.
Sri Rath was born to the parents Late Artatran Panda and Rahasmani as their second son on 28 th December 1922 at Hinjilikat in the district of Ganjam. None could ever dream that this little lad would shine himself as an Artist-Sculptor and create wonders in that field spreading his area of operation at Cuttack, a far distant place from his homeland. Actualy it so happened. The sincere endearour of the Artist Krushna Chandra twined him from given to tree.
Sri Rath was adopted as a son of his maternal grand father Late Madan Mohan Rath of Satyanarayan Pur (Now in the campus of Berhampur University , Bhanja bihar) and from that date, his surname was changed from Panda to Rath. While as student of village Pathsala, his sweet tone charmed the teachers and students during prayer class. So, few such cultural functions he used to accompany his teachers for singing opening and closing wherever needed.
In the childhood Krushna Chandra's love for musical art developed. During those days, at Hinjilikata, a troop started rehearsal for Dand Nat. The patron of the troop coming across the talent of this twelve year old boy, accepted him as an artist in the team. Krushna Chandra was praised by the audience for his role of Laxman in the drama “Mahi Ravan Badha”. Such an appreciation inspired the child Artist Krushna Chandra for better acting.
At that time, Radha Madhab Rahes party had earned good name. An art lover Sri Biswanath Dewan of Hinjili introduced Krushna Chandra to Sri Bansidhar Prusty, the sole proprietor, Director and Teacher of Radhamadhab Rahas party.
In the year 1937, the teacher Sri Prusty gave chance to Krushna Chandra to act in the role of Sri Krushna in the Ras Party. Both acting and singing of Krushna Chandra impressed the audience very much. Krushna Chandra received hundreds of gold and silver medals for his role as Sri Krushna.
During 1939, when the Ras Party was in Bad Narsingi, an artist came there for painting scenes Krushna Chandra tried to learn this art and assisted the Artist in his work. In 1940, while this Ras party performed show at Soroda, an eminent artist in Laxmi Narayan Achari came there for painting some scenes. It was an unique chance for Krushna Chandra. He used to draw the designs of Achary in a drawing book. The great Artist Achary used to praise Krushna Chandra for his interest in art. Being encouraged, by Sri Achary once Krushna Chandra prepared an exact painting of Bapuji. Every body appreciated this work and Artist Achary was pleased. This was the first step for the glorious future of artist Krushna Chandra. Henceforth he has never looked backward but forward. He is utilizing every moment of his life.
In a remote rural area wherefrom he would get the brush for painting. He invented himself a brush out of hairs of cow's tail. By this self-made brush he painted one after another. Henceforth, no painter from outside was engaged by the Radha Madhab Ras Party, and Sri Rath did all the painings required for the play.
In1943 second world war started. Horrors and terrors of war reigned all over the world. After the declarationof war, the cities and towns were kept dark, people took shelter inside the trench, there was only sound of the cyron. In such a dreadful moment, Radha Madhab Party was closed.
Artist Rath made acting as profession and joined Ras party at Lochapada. That party was organized by an Art lover Basu Patra. There Sri Rath painted the scenes and gave direction to the learners.
Five months passed in this way. The famous Orissa Theatres of Kavichandra Kalicharan Patnaik came to Berhampur Town Hall to show their plays. At that time, Kali Babu was very famous and people rushed to enjoy his dramas. Artist Sri Rath also went to Berhampur without delay. Near Town Hall he met Udayanath Das. At that time Sri Das was famous as comedian. Udaynath Babu was pleased to know Krushna Chandra as a rising artist and arranged a meeting with the master Kali Babu. Kali Babu asked some questions to Sri Rath and being pleased asked Durlav Babu (Singh) to appoint him in the party
The artists of “Orissa Theatres” were residing in the Khallikote College hostel. Next day Krushna Babu came to meet Durlav Babu. While going to the up stair, he saw that Krushna Pande was writing the posters of “Jayadev” play sitting on the floor. He stopped there and looked at the poster attaintively. “What are you looking at ?” asked Krushna Pandey. “Do you know such type of writing” ?
Krushna Babu's reply was affirmative. “Alright, let me see” saying this Pandey handed over a brush made of tooth-stick and a piece of paper. Krushna Babu immediately prepared one. To this, Pandey ordered 20 pieces to write and went out.
The news reached at Kali Babu and Durlav Babu. They came, saw and were pleased at the performance. He prepared one after another poster forgetting hunger or thirst. He could not think about the lunch. At this time, he was called for diving with the artists. It was heavenly pleasure to dine with the established artists of “Orissa Threatre”. After lunch, while he was busy for writing posters, Durlav Dada (Singh) came and informed him to stay and take his meals there. The ambition of Krushna Chandra was fulfilled. From that day he became a member of the Orissa Theatre's family.
Babu (Kalicharan Patnaik) was liking him very much. His sincere effort, devotion to duty and respect to the master gained over Kalicharan. Orissa Theatres returned to Cuttack . Babu kept Krushna Babu in his residence at Jagannath Ballav. Famous artists Dinabandhu Das (Tima), Dayanidhi Das and Bhagaban Mohanty were residing with him. After some days, ‘Bhata' was rehearsed and then staged. It was so popular that people were disappointed without getting tickets from the counter. The show of Bhata confirmed for six months. Krushna Babu's main job was to write posters and to controlling lights on the stage.
In 1945, many famous artists left Orissa Theatre and raised Annapurna ‘B' group. Without being performed, Kali Babu staged new plays with the new artists enthusiastically. At that time Krushna Babu got the chance for acting in all the roles that were being enacted by Dinabandhu Das (Tima) in the old plays. Sri Naba Kumar Das dramatized “Ha Anna” novel of Kanhu Charan. This was staged for long one month in Kali Babu's Orissa Theatres. It was the first attempt of dramatization of Oriya novel. Krushna Babu was praised for taking an important role in this drama. Besides acting, setting the scene and make up of the characters, he was earnig more than rupees two hundred per month. At that time, one could manage on food/tiffin by spending Rupees twenty only. Krushna Babu was economic. So, he used to save the surplus money in the bank after sending some amount to home.
In 1946, one oil painting was needed for Bholanath Das who was acting as hero in the play “Bekar” and that was done by Krushna Babu. It was appreciated and received orders of oil paintings for Padmasree Laxmi Narayan Sahoo, Purna Chandra Sahoo and Utkalmoni Gopabandhu Das.
Time did not wait. Each and every individual or institution had to face a change and in the same manner long reputed Orissa Theatres was closed in 1948. Many artists joined Annapurna ‘A' or ‘B' group and some joined opera parties in rural area. But the artist Krushna Chandra without being performed made Art as profession and chose Cuttack as his place of work.
Krushna Babu had earned reputation for painting scenes and sceneries, oil painting, slide, signboard and poster making etc. He started ‘Krushna Chitralaya' at Sangat Math in Orissa Theatres helped him in getting orders from different Artists, Directors, clubs and other organization connected with arts. Especially the drama societies of Engineering School , High Court, Medical College , Ravenshaw College etc. called him without sending for make-up man from Calcutta . They found that workmanship of Krushna Babu was better than persons from Calcutta .
During those days, it was difficult for Amature parties to get the scenes, dress, make-up materials etc. at one place. Even if so arranged experienced persons were not available to handle. At the time of return, those amature parties lost or tore some of these materials due to their ignorance of handling, carelessmen or idleness. They were being penalized by the suppliers. But when they got all the items with expertised experience of Krushna Babu, they all came to him. Due to want of space for preparation of scene, sceneries, Krushna Babu went to Berhampur for preparation of ordered items. The news of Krushna Babu's making of scene, sceneries etc. spread far and wide. Authorities of different organizations used to visit him and pleased to see his workmanship. Once the teachers of Dura High School approached him to co-operate in staging the drama ‘Jayadev'. Krushna Babu gave direction at night and prepared the scenes and dresses during the day. The play was staged after rehearsal of one month. The success of that drama inspired him a lot.
Krushna Babu attained the cherished goal. He did not waste time any more staying in his village. He started for Cuttack with his younger brother Naran with the prepared materials. His elder brother Sri Bhubaneswar Panda went to Rangoon . So, his father Artatran Panda recalled Narayan to village for assisting him in agriculture. At that time his two younger brothers Raghu and Hari were children. Father brought Raghu from village and left him to help Krushna.
Krushna Babu utilized the time and the environment. He received orders from towns and villages for supply of theatrical materials. Krushna Babu was meeting their demands with Raghu and two assistants. The another troops used to change their dates as per availability of Krushna Babu since he solved their problems of dress materials etc. which they did not get in the past else where in the State. He received invitation from different Drama clubs for giving direction. Gradually his popularity spread throughout Orissa. He left Sangat lane of Balu Bazar and lived in a rented house at Kaliaboda. In 1951, a trouble took place between the monks and villagers of Kaliaboda for which Krushna Babu had to leave that place. He left his wife Ichhamoni in his village and stayed at the back side of dramatist Gokuli Babu's residence at Ranihat. That room was closed to a tank. Serpants and other acquatic animals used to enter inside that room. But Rath didn’t not stop his work.
Once while he was busy for staging a drama at Chhatra bazar drama club, his younger brother Raghunath fell ill and he had to take him to S.C.B. Medical College Hospital . Doctors knew Krushna Babu as he was coming to Medical College every year for annual drama. They took care of Raghunath and started his treatment allotting a bad there. There was a bed nearby. Krushna Babu watched his ailing brother throughout the night leaning to that bed. In the morning, Raghunath's health improved and by the time of departure he could know that the bed to which he leant last night was occupied by not a person but a dead body. However, fear would have disappeared from his mind by that time.
In 1952, Krushna Babu lived in a rented house at Pithapur with his 4 months old son Rabi and two younger brother Raghunath and Harihar. Due to supply of heavy orders, about 10 to 12 workers were working throughout the day and night. In 1953, he procured a plot of land at Haripur and built the house where Krushna Chitralaya stands at present. That year his drama associate Sri Jadumoni Kanungo founded an opera party called “Nagaspur Gananatya”. In the opera wored for the first time a social drama ‘Sasti' written and directed by Sri Kanungo was staged. For the entertainment of audience, they were playing dance dramas like ‘Bakasura Badha' ‘Nil Madhab' and ‘Meghdoot' etc. For the scene setting and equipements Krushna Babu had a major role to play. The cranes, peacocks, deer and bears etc. were made by him in paper, torn clothes, sol and wooden plates and different colours. He received appreciation from all corners for such invention. In the same year Sri Rath was considered best for make-up decoration in the All India youth festival held at New Delhi . At that time Sri Nabakumar Das (afterwards Justice in the Orissa High Court) was the Secretary, youth festival committee of Utkal University
Since then 10 years passed. Krushna Babu had received many awards by 1962. Sri Rath thought himself the purpose of establishment of ‘Krushna Chitralaya' was not fulfilled. He would procure dress materials, equipments and instruments and spare parts for opera, theatre and pala etc. He kept all those things in his Chitralaya and engaged tailors for stitching the dresses. He kept all these materials in his Chitrayala bringing from Calcutta , Bombay , Delhi , Madras and Hyderabad etc. and handed over Scene Scenery, Painting, dressing and make-up materials to his younger brothers Raghunath and Harihar. The area of Haripur became populars and shops arose all around his Chitralaya. Thousands of Artists took all these materials from himand spread their business and maintained livelyhood through out Orissa due to good-will of Krushna Babu. His joy knew no bounds hearing the good carreer of his fellow men. In tuch flattery words to an Artist. Suddenly an idea came to his mind. He would produce a film. He choose mythological theme he year 1975 when his business spread all over the state, people started to address him as Seth, but he became unhappy to hear s“Trinath Mela”, the worship of Lords Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswar. In1978 the ‘Mahurat' of this film took place. Justice N.K. Das and Binod Jha, I.A.S. Collector, Cuttack were present in the ceremony amongst others. Out-door shootings were over. For Indoor-shootings, he converted his own residential building to a studio as per wish and inspiration of his wife Ichhamoni Devi. He brought new artists from rural areas and produced the film with the help of some old experienced artists under his own direction. This film proved to be successful and entertaining. It was only Krushna Babu who could take such an adventurous step for production of a film converting a residential house to a studio. Those artists came from outside to participate in the film, were being accommodated in some rooms of his residential building. As the space was inadequate, he applied intelligence and prepared some tired beds like train compartments and after the film shooting, he used these rooms as a Mini Lodging. Many outsiders preferred to stay there for its cheap rent. Krushna Babu's contribution towards projects like House construction, clearing the town and clearance of the garbages and flood control are some of his lasting contribution which can not be forgotten by our nation. Inside Cuttack town, there are many lower level places which are logged by water during rainy season. He placed this matter many a time before the municipal authorities. He was praised by some intellectuals for his planning. But his plans could not be materialized as no body took interest for clearance of garbages floating inside the big canal like drain which is the only outlet for carrying the muddy water of the entire town. He thought how to clear the drain without clearance and built a pillarless concrete bridge over the main drain at Bajrakabati. He was praised by all for this work. His other project is construction of buildings. He advises to construct R.B. (Reinforced Brick) roots instead of thached root as it is cheep and sustainable. His other planning is the control of flood in the rivers. With much strain, he himself has also suggested some designs. His idea is, while constructing the river banks by RCC if the height is lowered down 2 to 4 ft in the regular intervals, then there will be o apprehension of breach in the bank, and the surplus flood water will overflow causing no damage to coastal inhabitants. Moreover, the fields will be fertile by the slits. He has drawn the attention of higher authorities to this effect. It can be clearly said that Krushna Chitralaya is a temple of art, not only in Cuttack or Orissa, but also in India . He has established a music school for teaching of dance, drama & music (vocal and instrumental). Everyday a large number of Artists, Painters, Sculptors and lovers of art are visiting this temple to get the advice blessings, help and co-operation from Krushna Chandra, the priest. Artists from foreign countries also rush here for advice. The establishment of Krushna Chitralaya for the spread of Art, is the greatest contribution of the Artist Krushna Chandra for Orissa.
