Dr. Bhagyalipi Malla
Dr. Bhagyalipi Malla is a dedicated enthusiast for Odia language, literature, culture, and heritage. When serving as the head of the Department of the State Museum, State Archives, and Odia Bhasa Pratisthan. she passionately realizes her dream of promoting and advancing Odisha's rich traditions. Through her esteemed designations, she ensures the safeguarding of Odia language, literature, culture and heritage for future generations.
Journey from Museologist to Culture Analyst, Writer-Reciter,
Columnist, Palm Leaf Manuscript Experts, Administrator & Continues.
Date of Birth : 12-02-1965
Father : Shri Maniram Malla
Husband : Shri Pradeep Kumar Singh
Son : Prateek Singh
Professional Training:
Museology Training- National Museum, New Delhi.
Museum Capacity Building Training-Victoria & Albert-Museum, London.
Manuscriptology and Paleography Training-IGNCA, New Delhi.
Conservation Training- NRLC, Lucknow.
Training on Disaster Management for Cultural Property-NRDM, New Delhi.
Attended International SARC Conference-Sri Lanka-For Presentation of Odisha culture.
Education
I furnished by school career in Gopabandhu High School, Chowdwar, Cuttack where my passion for anchoring and debating flourished from 1981. Following that, I completed my Intermediate and Graduation at Shailabala Women’s College, Cuttack by 1985 where I got the opportunity to be the Debating Secretary in College. Later, I pursued post-graduation at Utkal University, Vani Vihar, Bhubaneswar, earning three master's degrees in Odia, History, and Sanskrit in due course of time successively. My academic journey culminated in the completion of my Ph.D. thesis on Sarala Mahabharata, a proud achievement showcasing my commitment to scholarly pursuits.
Professional Career:
In 1990, I joined the Odisha State Museum as an Assistant Curator in the Art & Crafts Section, later advancing to Curator in the Palm Leaf Manuscript Section. My journey continued as I earned promotion to Superintendent, where I had the opportunity to delve into various aspects of Odisha's language, culture, heritage, and history. Concurrently, I took on the role of Superintendent at the Odisha State Archives, where I authored eight research books and revitalized the institution's infrastructure. Subsequently, I became Director of the Odia Bhasa Pratisthan, overseeing my museum and spearheading initiatives to strengthen Odia language and literature. Notably, I published "Sishulekha" and a book on "Odia vocabulary" while initiating the Quarterly Journal Bhasa Patra. My commitment to preserving and promoting Odisha's rich cultural heritage through language and literature remains unwavering.
Museologist:
I take immense pride in identifying myself as a Museologist. In this capacity, I have elevated numerous galleries and orchestrated the creation of 10 newly developed ones. Notably, we've already completed virtual walkthroughs of three Archaeology Galleries and one Bronze Gallery, offering visitors an immersive experience. Additionally, I introduced a selfie zone featuring moving dynamic dinosaurs, adding an exciting attraction for visitors. Moreover, I oversee the Ananda Bhawan Museum & Learning Centre in Cuttack and the Jaydev Museum in Kenduvilwa. My expertise is sought after organizing various plans for developing new Galleries as well as new museums. We organize different types of National and International exhibitions on reputed artists of the country and abroad, and also hold exhibitions on special occasions such as Ratha Yatra, Raja festival, Gandhi Jayanti, and stuck object exhibitions at regular intervals in our Exhibition Gallery. We conduct seminars, symposiums, workshops, and conservation sessions regularly
We prioritize inviting professionals for lectures and suggestions on Museology and arrange seminars on the Baraputras of Odisha regularly. We provide training on how to decipher palm leaf manuscripts into paper, which are written in Karana Lipi. Additionally, we offer training to decipher the Odia Lipi from ancient inscriptions and coins. This way, the museum is able to produce more scholars in this field for their research.
Culture Analyst:
Regularly, cultural columns got published in various leading newspapers in Odisha. I have authored four in odia and one in English book on Odishan Culture and Heritage. Many organizations invite me to deliver speeches as a culture analyst. I speak on the heritage as well as on the culture of the State. Additionally, I have presented papers in different forums for the Odia language and have authored several books on this subject. As a Museologist, I have organized numerous galleries along with two museums (Jaydev Museum, Kenduvilwa and Anand Bhawan Sanghralaya, Cuttack) based on Odishan culture and heritage. I have made more than 10 digital documentary on culture of Odisha.
Research Works:
For the benefit of future generations, I have prepared descriptive and alphabetic catalogues on palm leaf manuscripts at the Odisha State Museum. To provide scholars and the public with a general understanding, I have published three volumes of "Odia Bhasa Bhitika Swatantra Odisha Pradesha Gathana" books, along with critical editions of works such as the Vishnu Purana and Laxmi Purana. These publications will assist scholars in conducting more comprehensive research. And the most important out of all in my career is “Famine of Odisha-1886” and “Nabakalevara- an Archival Document.”
Manuscriptologist :
I have dedicated considerable efforts to preserving palm leaf manuscripts. In our collections, the Odisha State Museum Manuscript Library houses more than 27 thousand manuscripts. During my tenure, all manuscripts have been digitized and are accessible on the website www.odishamuseum.nic.in. Additionally, I have authored numerous books on Palm leafs and illustrated palm leaf Manuscripts from the Odisha State Museum. I have also organized numerous seminars and workshops aimed at safeguarding these valuable treasures. Furthermore, I have participated in various seminars and workshops both within and outside the state. I have also organised exhibitions to popularise the Palm leaf manuscripts and made videos on different epics based on palm leaf manuscripts.
Awards and Felicitations:
I take great pride in the recognition I've received from esteemed organizations. Awards and felicitations from prestigious institutions such as Visuba Award from Prajatantra Prachara Samiti, Odisha Lekhika Sansad, Istahar, Rajdhani Pustaka Mela, Lucknow Odia Samaja, Chinta O Chetana National Award, the Best Women Achievement Award from New Delhi, and the Kurukshetra Awards etc. have been bestowed upon me.
National Experience:
I have received invitations from various museums both within and outside the country to participate in seminars and symposiums. Within India, I deliver lectures on palm leaf heritage and Odishan Heritage & Culture in IGNC New Delhi, Kurukshetra University, Jadavpur University Kolkata, Lucknow University and the honoured musuems like Salarjung Museum Hyderabad, National Museum New Delhi, Big foot Museum Goa, Manav Sanghralaya Madhya Pradesh and such, which have garnered high appreciation.
International Experience:
I have been invited by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, to attend a Museum Capacity Building Training at the Victoria & Albert Museum, U.K. In this due period I cherished the opportunity to visit other famous museums of U.K. like British Museum, Natural History Museum Britain and others. I was also invited to Sri Lanka to deliver a lecture on the Palm Leaf Heritage of Odisha at the SAARC Conference. I have also visited several European countries including Switzerland (Zurich), London, Paris (France), Belgium, and Germany etc, to gain insights into their cultures in relation to ours, as well as to explore their museums. Recently, I was invited to Paris from Asia Folk Art Preservation and Research Wing, to deliver a talk on Indian Mythology.
My Journey with the Literary Stalwarts of Odisha
Got an opportunity to interact with eminent personalities of Odisha, who are established in their field. Like I have a good relation with Padma bhusan Ramakanta Rath, Padmabibhusan Sitakanta Mohapatra, Padmashri Deviprasana Pattnaik, National Awardee Poet Rajendra Kishore Panda, Dr. Aparna Mohanty, Phani Mohanty, Pratibha Satpathy, Bibhuti Pattnaik, Gyanapitha Awardee Pratibha Rai etc.
Historians like Prof. Atul Ch. Pradhan, Prof R.K. Mishra, Prof. S. Acharya, Prof. A. Pattnaik, Dr. Jeevan Pattnaik.
Culture Analysts like, Prof. Baishnava charana Samal, Hara Prasad Das, GAurahari Das, Dr. Gauranga Charana Das, Dr. Aurobindo Pattnaik etc.
My Sufferings:
Life carries on, bearing both pain and pleasure side by side. At times, individuals confront such profound anguish from which it seems impossible to rise again and stand tall. I've experienced a similar ordeal in my life. Everything seemed to be going smoothly; I was engrossed in various cultural pursuits. However, suddenly, as if struck by a bolt from the blue, my heart, my soul, my very essence, and everything I held dear were stolen away by fate. My 27-year-old son, resembling a prince, a master of tennis, cricket, and other games, a skilled guitarist, and a Senior HR professional at Accenture, departed from my life like a sudden storm, leaving me shattered. For a long time, I remained submerged in the depths of sorrow, unable to emerge. It is only with the support of my well-wishers that I have begun to claw my way out of that abyss of despair, though I have not yet succeeded entirely.
Insights:
Still, As my beloved will be all along with my heart, I would be delighted if our future generations take it upon themselves to safeguard our language, culture, and heritage from my research endeavours. I am determined to persist in this endeavour until I feel compelled to pause. My soul would find peace knowing that they are diligently preserving our state's vast and incredible manuscript heritage.