Chief Ministers •
Nabakrushna Choudhury; freedom fighter and former
Chief Minister of Odisha who served twice from 1950 to 1952 and from 1952 to 1956. He played an important role in shaping the state’s early governance. He is especially known for his efforts to abolish the
Zamindari system, which helped end feudal land ownership and improved the condition of farmers. He also worked for rural development, land reforms, and social justice, leaving a lasting impact on Odisha’s progress. •
Janaki Ballabh Patnaik; Indian politician, writer, and one of long-serving leader of Odisha. He served as the
Chief Minister of Odisha in three terms (1980 to 1985, 1985-1989 and 1995-1999),making him one of the longest-serving CMs of the state. His tenure focused on industrial growth, rural development, and expansion of education. At the national level, he also held important responsibilities. He served as a Union Cabinet Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, and Labour (1970s–1980s) under the leadership of
Indira Gandhi, contributing to policy development in these sectors. Later, he was appointed as the
Governor of Assam (2009–2014). •
Gopabandhu Choudhury; a prominent freedom fighter, social reformer, and dedicated Gandhian leader from Odisha. He played a significant role in
India’s independence movement and worked closely with the ideals of
Mahatma Gandhi. He left his government job as a
Deputy Collector under the British administration to join the freedom struggle and actively participated in movements like the
Non-Cooperation Movement and Civil Disobedience Movement. He devoted his life to serving the poor, promoting rural development, and uplifting marginalized communities. He was deeply committed to social justice and worked towards the eradication of untouchability and the spread of education in rural areas. His simple lifestyle, selfless service, and dedication to Gandhian principles made him a highly respected figure in Odisha’s history. •
Ramadevi Choudhury; a prominent freedom fighter, social reformer, and dedicated follower of Gandhian principles from Odisha. She is widely regarded as one of the leading women figures in the state’s independence movement. She actively participated in major movements like the Non-Cooperation Movement and Civil Disobedience Movement under the guidance of Mahatma Gandhi. She played a key role in mobilizing women to join the freedom struggle and worked extensively for rural upliftment. She devoted her life to social service, especially in the areas of women’s empowerment, education, and the eradication of untouchability. •
Annapurna Choudhury; freedom fighter, Gandhian, and social worker from Odisha, known for her lifelong dedication to social service and women’s empowerment. She was the daughter of
Gopabandhu Choudhury and
Ramadevi Choudhury. She actively participated in India’s freedom struggle from a young age and worked closely with the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi. She was involved in movements promoting self-reliance, khadi, and rural development. After independence, She continued her work in social reform, women’s rights, and upliftment of the underprivileged. She dedicated her life to education, village development, and promoting Gandhian values such as simplicity and non-violence. •
Braja Sundar Das; freedom fighter, social reformer, third graduate of Odisha and political leader from Odisha. He actively participated in
India’s independence movement and worked for the upliftment of society. He was associated with the
Indian National Congress and contributed to movements inspired by
Mahatma Gandhi. He worked for rural development, education, and social equality. He also played an important role in public service after independence, focusing on welfare activities and development work in Odisha. He is remembered for his dedication to the people and his contributions to social reform. •
Sarala Devi; Independence activist, feminist, social activist, writer, She was remembered for her pioneering role in women’s empowerment and social reform in Odisha. She emerged as one of the early women leaders in the state who was the first woman to join join the
Non-cooperation movement also the first woman to be elected to the
Odisha Legislative Assembly. She was actively participating in the freedom movement inspired by Mahatma Gandhi. She consistently worked for the advancement of women’s rights, education, and social equality, while also striving for the upliftment of weaker sections of society. Her leadership and dedication helped break societal barriers, making her a significant figure in promoting progressive change and inclusive development. •
Gopala Ballabha Das; writer, social reformer, deputy magistrate in British Government, assistant of Odisha commissioner during British rule who played an active role in India’s struggle for independence. Before joining the freedom movement, he worked in government service, but later left his job to dedicate himself to the national cause under the influence of Mahatma Gandhi. He was associated with the Indian National Congress and actively participated in movements such as the Non-Cooperation Movement, helping to spread political awareness among the masses. His contributions were significant in mobilizing people and promoting the ideals of self-reliance, unity, and social reform. After independence, he continued his public service, contributing to democratic development and welfare activities in Odisha. •
Jagabandhu Patnaik;
Dewan of
Porahat and the first martyr from
Odisha in the
Indian Rebellion of 1857 who played a courageous role in resisting British authority and stood firmly against colonial oppression. He is remembered for his bravery and sacrifice in the struggle against British rule, where he laid down his life for the cause of freedom. His martyrdom made him a symbol of resistance and patriotism in Odisha’s history. •
Bhagirathi Mahapatra; Indian lawyer, politician, founding member and first secretary of
Utkal Pradesh Congress Committee. •
Nityanand Kanungo; a prominent Indian politician, freedom fighter, and senior leader from Odisha. He played an active role in the Indian independence movement and was associated with the Indian National Congress. After independence, he held important positions in public life. He served as a Union Cabinet Minister for Commerce and Industry (1957–1962) under
Jawaharlal Nehru, where he contributed to India’s industrial and economic development. He also served as the
Governor of Gujarat (1965-1967) and later as the
Governor of Bihar (1967-1971), continuing his service in administrative and constitutional roles. •
Binod Kanungo; a noted writer, freedom fighter, and encyclopedist from Odisha, best known for his remarkable contribution to Odia literature and knowledge dissemination. He actively participated in the Indian freedom movement and was influenced by the ideals of
Mahatma Gandhi. Despite limited resources, he dedicated his life to spreading knowledge among the masses. His most significant achievement was the creation of the Odia encyclopedia “Jnanamandala,” which he developed almost single-handedly to make knowledge accessible to common people in their native language. He also founded the Jnanamandala Foundation to support this work. •
Biswanath Pattnaik; a noted social worker and
Gandhian leader from Odisha, best known for his active role in the
Bhoodan Movement led by
Vinoba Bhave. He dedicated his life to land reform, rural development, and the upliftment of the poor and marginalized. As a key leader of the Bhoodan movement in Odisha, he worked tirelessly to persuade landowners to donate land to landless farmers, promoting the ideals of equality and social justice. He also focused on education, tribal welfare, and community development, working to improve the living conditions of underprivileged sections of society. His simple lifestyle and commitment to Gandhian values made him a respected figure in social reform. . •
Sarangadhar Das; a distinguished politician, social reformer, and leader from Odisha who played an important role in shaping modern India. He was a member of the Constituent Assembly of India, contributing to the drafting of the Indian Constitution. He was actively involved in advocating for social justice, education, and the rights of marginalized communities. His work in the Constituent Assembly reflected his commitment to democratic principles, equality, and regional development.
Vaishnav Saints •
Achyutananda Dasa; a renowned 16th-century Vaishnava saint, poet, and spiritual leader from Odisha. He was one of the key figures in the
Utkaliya Vaishnavism movement, which emphasized devotion to Lord Krishna and the spread of Bhakti (devotional worship). He was a disciple of
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s teachings and worked to propagate the principles of love, devotion, and moral living. He composed numerous devotional hymns and texts in Odia, contributing richly to Odia literature and spiritual thought. He is also known for his efforts in reforming society, promoting ethics, devotion, and spiritual discipline among people of all social backgrounds. •
Ananta Dasa; a prominent 16th-century Vaishnava saint, poet, and devotional leader from Odisha, associated with the Utkaliya Vaishnavism movement. He was a contemporary of Achyutananda Dasa and a follower of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s teachings. He played a key role in spreading Bhakti (devotion to Lord Krishna) and moral-religious values among people of all social backgrounds. He is especially famous for his literary contributions, including devotional poems, songs, and spiritual texts in Odia that enriched Odia literature and promoted religious devotion. One of his major achievements was the composition of Bhakti Paddhatis and Chautisha works, which provided guidance on devotional practices and ethical living. •
Balarama Dasa; 15th-century poet seer, litterateur, writer of
Jagamohana Ramayana and
Lakshmi Purana, considered one of the pioneers of Odia devotional literature. He was deeply influenced by the
Bhakti movement and devoted his life to spreading devotion to Lord Krishna. He is especially known for his literary masterpiece, the Odia Mahabharat, which was one of the first comprehensive retellings of the epic in the Odia language. Through his writings, Balarama Dasa popularized religious teachings, moral values, and devotion among the common people. Apart from his literary contributions, he worked to promote Bhakti, spiritual discipline, and moral living. His teachings and compositions had a lasting impact on Odia literature and the Vaishnava tradition in Odisha.
Historical Figures •
Bisara Mohanty; historical figure of Jagannath culture who rescued Daru Brahma (soul stuff) of Lord Jagannath from the river Ganga. •
Ramananda Ray; author of Jagannath Vallabha Natakam and the Governor of
Gajapati Empire.
Art & Literature •
Brajanath Badajena; Odia poet and descendant of 16th-century poet Raghu Arakhita. •
Banamali Dasa; Odia
bhakti-poet and composer of
Odissi music . •
Jatiya Kabi Birakishore Das; National poet, social activist, politician and the editor of "Mo Desha" . •
Kanta Kabi Laxmikanta Mohapatra; illustrious Odia poet and patriot who wrote Odisha’s immortal state anthem “
Bande Utkala Janani” and is revered as the voice of Odia nationalism. •
Gopalakrusna Pattanayaka; Odia poet and composer of
Odissi music. •
Radhanath Ray; poet, novelist, essayist, educationist, cultural relativist, orator and songwriter. •
Pratibha Ray; renowned author and academic, best known for her contributions to Odia literature. Jnanpith Award for her novel Yajnaseni, which powerfully reinterprets the character of Draupadi from the Mahabharata. •
Gourishankar Ray; writer and a prominent figure amongst the makers of
Modern Odisha. •
Deba Prasad Das;
Odissi classical dancer and Guru, recognized as one of the four first-generation masters who revived and structured the dance form, known for his robust style rooted in
Gotipua traditions and recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1977. •
Artaballabha Mohanty; writer, literary critique and the publisher of only available print record of
Madala Panji. •
Kalicharan Pattnaik; eminent literary and artistic figure of Odisha. •
Annada Shankar Ray; Indian poet and essayist. •
Gopinath Mohanty; novelist, winner of
Jnanpith Award and
Sahitya Akademi Award. •
Surendra Mohanty; author, politician and
Padma Shri award winner.
Education & Research •
Prana Krushna Parija; Indian botanist, scientist, politician, winner of
Padma Bhushan and Officer of the
Order of the British Empire. •
Sudhira Das; first woman engineer of Odisha, pioneering technical education for women in the state. •
Bidhu Bhusan Das; educator, public intellectual and ex-principal of Ranchi University (now
Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee University), vice Chancellor of
Utkal University, an advisor to
King Mahendra of Nepal and played a key role in establishing
Kathmandu's Tribhuvan University also helped to setup
Nagaland University. •
Prabhat Nalini Das; Public intellectual, first dean/director of Humanities division at
IIT Kanpur, vice chancellor of
North-Eastern Hill University also served as a professor of English and head of the English department at several prestigious institutions including
Delhi University,
Ranchi University,
Lady Shri Ram College and
Utkal University. •
Madhu Sudan Kanungo; renowned Indian scientist in the fields of neuroscience and gerontology. He is best known for his Gene Expression Theory of Aging, also founder-director of Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, chancellor of
Nagaland University and
Padma Shri award winner. •
Jitendra Nath Mohanty; Indian philosopher, served as an Emeritus professor of Philosophy in
Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. •
Nikhil Mohan Pattnaik; Indian scholar, scientist and founder of Srujanika, a science education and research non profit organization situated in Bhubaneswar
. Jurists •
Ananga Kumar Patnaik; former justice of
Supreme Court of India, former chief justice of
Chhattisgarh High Court and
Madhya Pradesh High Court. •
Gopal Ballav Pattanaik; 32nd
Chief Justice of India and former
Chief Justice of Patna High Court. •
Bira Kishore Ray; first
Chief Justice of Orissa High Court and first
Advocate general of Odisha. •
Sukanta Kishore Ray; former
Chief Justice of Orissa High Court and
former Governor of Odisha. • Jugal Kishore Mohanty; former
Chief Justice of Sikkim High Court. •
Pradip Kumar Mohanty; former
Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court and former
Chairperson of
Lokpal of India.
Others •
Chandi Prasad Mohanty; retired
Lieutenant General of the Indian Army, 42nd
Vice Chief of the Army Staff, former
General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Command. •
Kishen Pattnaik; Indian politician, social activist, author, founder & editor of Hindi monthly periodical called
Samayik Varta. •
Jayanti Patnaik; four-time Member of Parliament, first Chairperson of
National Commission for Women and wife of former Chief Minister of Odisha and ex governor of Assam
Shri Janaki Ballabh Patnaik. •
Niranjan Patnaik; former president of
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee and Ex Cabinet Minister. •
Banamali Patnaik; Indian politician and former president of
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee. • Samir Mohanty; Indian politician and former president of
Bharatiya Janata Party, Odisha. •
Pranab Prakash Das; Indian politician, former Energy Minister and one of the prominent leader in
Naveen Patnaik's Government. •
Bijoy Mohapatra; former Irrigation Minister and most powerful minister (known as Super Chief Minister) in
Biju Patnaik's cabinet. •
Naba Kishore Das; former state's Cabinet Minister in
Naveen Patnaik's Government. •
Manas Mangaraj; Indian politician, journalist and member of
Rajya Sabha from
Odisha as member of
Biju Janata Dal. •
Akshaya Mohanty; singer, lyricist, composer, musician, writer and Jayadev award winner. •
Hara Patnaik; Indian actor, director, screenplay writer and singer. •
Akshay Parija: Indian film maker and businessmen. •
Bijay Mohanty; Indian actor, Jayadev award winner, Orissa Cine Critics Award winner, National Film Awards winner and 6 times
Odisha State Film Awards winner. •
Arindam Ray; Indian actor, politician and son in law of former leader of opposition
Ashok Kumar Das. •
Buddhaditya Mohanty; Indian actor. •
Mahasweta Ray; Ollywood actress,
Odisha State Film Award winner. •
Anubhav Mohanty; Indian actor and former
Member of parliament. •
Uttam Mohanty; Indian actor,
Odisha State Film Awards winner and Jayadev Award winner. •
Babushaan Mohanty; Indian actor, playback singer and son of
Uttam Mohanty. == Surnames ==