Ramakrushna Nanda

Ramakrushna Nanda (15 February 1906 – 28 October 1994) was an Indian writer, educator and author of children's literature. He composed the song Ahe Dayamaya Biswa Bihari, a favourite of Mahatma Gandhi when Gandhi was at Sabarmati Ashram. This song was included in his Odia-language textbook Sahitya Sopana.

Biography

Family Nanda's father was Madhusudan Nanda (died 1892). His mother died in 1951. In 1925, Nanda married Soudamini Devi (d. 13 August 1988). They had eight daughters and one son. Nanda's elder brother was Balakrushna Nanda (teacher) and younger brothers were Radhakrushna Nanda (an eminent Drama writer cum artist and owner of Ichhapur Jatra Mandali, writer of many drama books and Niyati songs) and Dinakrushna Nanda.

His son is Er Prabhat Kumar Nanda, a retired Chief Engineer (Water Resources Dept) and was also Member OPSC. His daughter-in-law is Smt Anasuya Nanda, who is an eminent writer and singer. She is the editor of the Odia Children's magazine Sansar (founded by Ramakrushna Nanda).

The press closed in 1961. In retirement, Nanda wrote children's books and songs. Of the form nanabaya, (nonsense rhyme), Nanda said," "Unintelligibility or irrelevance does not reduce the value of nanbaya. The rhythm and style is unique. Sometimes the meanings are unclear or impossible to ascertain. In English, some of these rhymes are called 'nonsense' or meaningless rhymes. By defying the metrical prescriptions and grammatical conventions, the spontaneity of these rhymes endear themselves to children."

Lyricist Nanda's lyrics for Aahe Dayamaya Bishwa Bihari and Holi Holi Re Holi Ranga Rangeli Nali. were used in the 1978 film, Balidaan .