Depiction of Tribes and Women in Jayanta Mahapatra's Poetry

In Mahapatra's poetry the 'living' includes the tribals of Orissa. The poet has highlighted the plight of these poor people in Orissa. The ongoing clash of interests is expressed in his poems. These tribals are ischolar_mained to their land. They consider that the spirit of Goddess is enshrined in the land. Metal extraction will threaten their religious belief. They are not only displaced physically but they are disturbed psychologically. The Supreme Court of India has restricted the expansion of these factories. The horrible drought of Kalahandi has also been depicted in his poems. The poet identifies himself with this account of exploitation and suffering. The poet's grandfather had to undergo this suffering in the famine in 1866, which had affected Orissa. Much will remain unsaid if we do not touch upon the role of women in the emergence of Oriya identity in literature and society. The educated women always fought for their own identity and at the same time, they took an active interest in building up Oriya identity. The writings of women definitely influenced Mahapatra. In his poems Mahapatra shows an awareness of his Oriya upbringing, culture and its landscape. He loves his people and brings to the fore their suffering and joys.