PURNA CHANDRA RATH

SUPERINTENDENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY, EX-PATNA STATE, BOLANGIR

(1909-1952)

It is an irony of life that often a lesser man, by well-planned orchestration, is installed on pedestals, while one really talented unfortunately gets a silent burial. Through passage of time, layers of dust gradually settle over what that brilliant man had achieved with dedication during his life-time and eventually the image of that man and his work, though deserving to be treasured, are permanently consigned to oblivion. Such has been the fate of late Sri Purna Chandra Rath, whose multi-dimensional genius could not fully blossom as Myeloid Leukemia (Blood Cancer) claimed him prematurely at the young age of 43. Within a brief span of about 12 years of creative life, he could accomplish a lot in cultural, social and political spheres by sheer will-force and organizational capability. Despite infrastructural deficiencies, financial constraints and geographical obstacles prevailing at his time, he over-stretched his energies to see his dreams come true. In the process, he untimely perished like a 'Candle burning at both ends'. (more :-  pcrath )