Malajanha

Das, Upendra Kishore: - Upendra Kishore Das (Feb 21, 1901-Apr 20, 1972) was a litterateur and freedom fighter. His father Raj Kishore Das was the zamindar of Kumuda Jaypur of Cuttack district. While he was a student at the Ravenshaw College, Cuttack, inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, in 1921 he left studies and joined the freedom movement. He also contributed towards children's literature and art. Written in the year 1922, Malajanha (The dying moon) was his only novel which is considered an Odia classic. This was later made to a feature film in the same name. Directed by veteran film director Nitai Palit, the movie received the best Odia movie award from the President of India in 1965.