People gather in front of the garlanded statue of Gangadhar Meher on the campus of Gangadhar Meher College in Sambalpur on Saturday. Telegraph picture

Sambalpur, Aug. 13: The 150th birth anniversary of legendary poet Gangadhar Meher was celebrated in several places of western Orissa. But contrary to expectations, the Orissa government did not celebrate the occasion in a grand way.

Family members of the poet rued that the state government had not fulfilled a longstanding popular demand for the establishment of a museum at his birthplace, Barpali.

“The government should take steps to set up a museum at Barpali in memory of the legendary poet. The district administration had been requested to take steps in this regard. But they are yet to do so,” said Manindra Meher, the poet’s great grandson.

This did not, however, dampen the spirits of several socio-cultural organisations and Sambalpur University, which celebrated the occasion in their own ways.

The Orissa Sanskrutik Samaj (OSS), a social organisation, organised a poetry recital programme.

“The OSS has decided to celebrate the anniversary throughout the year. The organisation will organise meetings at various educational institutions. We have also requested the Orissa Sahitya Academy to translate the literary works of Meher into other languages,” said Jadumani Behera, secretary of Orissa Sanskrutik Samaj.

Sambalpur University celebrated the birth anniversary of the poet by organising a programme. “We organised a debate competition for school students. The students were given away prizes. Noted poet Harekrushna Meher was conferred with Nilamadhaba Panigrahi Samman too,” said Samar Mudali, head of the Oriya department at Sambalpur University.

“The creative works of Gangadhar Meher are being discussed in Orissa only. These works should be translated into other languages also,” he added.

At Gangadhar Meher College, a commemorative meeting was held and a rally was taken out.

A number of programmes were organised at Barpali too.

Gangadharwas born in 1862 at Barpali of Bargarh district. “The poet will be always remembered for his work,” said Sushil Kumar Bag, a resident of Barpali and a research scholar on Meher’s work.

“This is an auspicious occasion for the people of Barpali,” Bag said.

Gangadhar Sahitya Parishad of Barpali organised a meeting chaired by Chaturbhuja Meher. Renowned writer Antaryami Meher was conferred with the Gangadhar Saraswat Samman and Brajendra Naik was honoured with the Gangadhar Prativa Samman.

Two research scholars were also honoured for their research work on Gangadhar Meher’s work.