2. Odia Book Labanyabati By Kabi
Samrata Upendra Bhanja
Kabi samrata upendra bhanja was a 17th-century odia poet-composer of classical odissi
music. He is most known for his odissi songs and kabyas written in the odia language,
primarily baidehisa bilasa, labanyabati & koti brahmanda sundari.He was born during
1670 (opinions differ between 1670 and 1688) in kulagarh, ghumusar zamindari, present
day kulada near bhanjanagar, 80 kms from the silk city brahmapur, odisha and died
during 1740 (again opinions vary).
His first wife was the sister of the king of nayagarh and the daughter of the king of
banapur was his second wife, who was an erudite princess and gave upendra bhanja
poetical inspiration in an abundant measure. His grandfather king dhananjaya bhanja was
a great poet and wrote raghunatha bilasa (the ramayana), ratna manjari (a poetical
romance) etc.
