Rati Ranjan Mishra (1 October 1952 – 19 May 2005) known at his insistence simply as Rati Bhaina (Bhaina means elder brother in Odia) was an experimental playwright, outstanding orator, poet and critic. His influence on Odia theatre and culture extended from 1965 to his death and beyond. He wrote more than 25 plays, including major works such as Sita, Satarka Sanghamitra, Abatara, and Dekha! Barsa Asuchhi, Ruddha Dwara, Ati Achambita Katha, Aruna Rangara Pakhi, Madhubabunka Kalia Ghoda, Dugdha Jata., Parabarti Adhyaya, Tate Jhure Mun Rati Dina etc. With a range incorporating both contemporary satire and historical allegory, Rati Ranjan Mishra became the leading dramatist of his generation, and in 1925 was awarded the Sahitya Academy and Sangeet Natak Academy awards in the years 1990 and 2004. Born in a small but significant village named Bholanua Gaon of the Anandapur subdivision, Rati Ranjan Mishra was the eldest child of Smt Susama Mishra and Pandit Padmanava Mishra. He started his acting career when he was studying in 4th standard in the drama "Bhai Bhauja" at the annual function of the school. he struggled to establish himself as a writer and novelist and embarked on a rigorous process of self-education. He introduced himself as a playwright by writing a play "Nirandhra Andhakara" in STD 9 which was published in the school magazine. Rati Ranjan Mishra completed his high school career at BN High School Anandapur, got admission to Ravenshaw College, Cuttack and subsequently after 1Yr joined the regional college of Education, Bhubaneswar where he started his literary career. He completed Post Graduation in English from VaniVihar in 1976. Rati Ranjan Mishra was from an underprivileged family and struggled hard for his existence. He even served as a part-time tutor to meet his educational expenses. Even it so happened that daily he had to transcribe "Talapatra Pothis' at the museum which earned him 50p per pg. He would earn Rs 50 daily for his dinner at the roadside Dhabas and return to the hostel for Studies. Thus, it will not be exaggerated to say that Rati Ranjan Mishra was a self-made Man. Rati Ranjan Mishra had been writing plays for years before his first public success. he sought to introduce a new realism into Odia drama, using his plays as vehicles to broadcast his political, social and religious ideas. By 1974 his reputation as a dramatist was secured with a series of critical and popular successes that included Sita, Satarka Sanghamitra, Abatara, and Dekha! Barsa Asuchhi, Ruddha Dwara, Ati Achambita Katha, Aruna Rangara Pakhi, Madhubabunka Kalia Ghoda, Dugdha Jata., Parabarti Adhyaya, etc. He was associated with many drama organizations like Satabadira Kalakar, Bhubaneswar, Manana Natya Sanstha, Bhubaneswar, Natya Chetana, Bhubaneswar and had initiated the "Aa Kaa Maa Bai Talents" at Cuttack. These plays brought popularity not only to him but also to cultural organizations. Most of his plays are based on contemporary political situations presented in folk format. He was a pioneer of Experimental Theatre. We can proudly claim that Rati Ranjan Mishra has created an era in Experimental Theatre.

These organizations staged several plays like Sita, Satarka Sanghamitra, Abatara, and Dekha! Barsa Asuchhi, Ruddha Dwara, Ati Achambita Katha, Aruna Rangara Pakhi, Madhubabunka Kalia Ghoda, Dugdha Jata., Parabarti Adhyaya, Tate Jhure Mun Rati Dina etc. Rati Ranjan Mishra, more popularly known as Rati Mishra and Rati Bhaina, joined Door Darshan, Cuttack in 1977 and began his service career. He started loving his job as he was a lover of art, literature and culture, thus the electronic media unfolded his artistic talent and took him to the peak of his literary career. Rati Ranjan Mishra was a skilled director who directed many operas and musical features in Akashvani and Door Darshan starting from Baishnav Pani Opera to Deshiya Naata of Koraput. The 151 and the most popular mega TV serial "Katha Kahuthile Saribani" was one of his creations. He has also written screenplays and dialogues for Oriya feature films Kanya Dana, School Master, Rakhile Siba Mariba Kiye?, Suna Bhauja, Stree, Agni Sanketa, Rana Bhumi etc. Rati Ranjan Mishra became the most famous face in the weekly TV programme "Chitthi Patrara Uttara". People haven't yet forgotten his charming smile and talent for answering each question skillfully and wittily. During his service career, he was posted at Door Darshan Kendra, Cuttack, All India Radio, Jeypore, Door Darshan, Bhubaneswar Door Darshan —Imphal, Manipur, Door Darshan, Bhawani Patna and lastly, All India Radio, Cuttack. He was posted as director, of Door Darshan, Bhawani Patna and All India Radio, Cuttack. He was popular with his colleagues and adored by the working-class employees for his caring and down-to-earth attitude. "He walks in the gentleman's grandeur" — best defines him. Rati Ranjan Mishra has written 25 plays during his lifetime which have been printed in 15 books. Besides this, he has written short stories and poems and also translated four plays by Shakespeare, Chekhov, Girish Karnad and Badal Sarkar. These dynamic activities finally came to a mournful end on 19th May 2005 with his sudden demise by cancer he was fighting with for over 1000 days. Always positive by nature he had the hope of recovery till the last moment of life but unfortunately, fate had different plans for him. The lively and loving family man is survived by his wife, Dr Minati Mishra and two daughters Lipsa and Alisha.

Achievement and felicitation Besides these, he was awarded and felicitated by many other cultural organizations such as 1. Chinata 0 Chetana — 1991 2. Yatri Bhubaneswar — 1992 3. Rajya Sthariya Makar Samman 1997 by Akhila chakra Orissa 4. Natyakara Rajkishore Ray Smruti Puraskar -1997 by Saraswata Sahitya Sanskrutika Parishad Dasrathapur, Jajpur. 5. KIIT, Bhubaneswar. 6. Utkal Natyashree Award — 2003 by Utkal Sahitya Kala Parishad, Cuttack. 7. Ramchandra Mishra Natak Sanman 2003 by Utkal Sahitya Samaj, Cuttack. 8. Kasandra Cultural Centre, Keonjhar — 2003 9. Ganakabi Baishnab Pani Samman 2003 by Ganakabi Baishnab Pani Smruti Sansad 10. Kasturi, Cuttack 11. Shatabdira Kalakar — 2004 12. International Theater, Bhubaneswar on World Theatre Day — 2004 13. Pancham Beda, Bhubaneswar — 2005 14. Utkal Kala Samman — 2005 by Utkal Kala Parishad, Cuttack.