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AN INCOMPLETE MANUSCRIPT OF GOPA-LEELA
Gouri Shankar Tripathy
An incomplete oriya palm leaf manuscript has been brought to y notice preserved in Vardhman Granthagar in the Campus of Jain 'ishva Bharati. Sometimes, it is felt, no critical appreciation should e written on any book or manuscript which is generally inomplete On this score, there are several reasons. However, in spite f the aforesaid contention 1 am to pen a few important points that re necessary pertaining to the matter contronted with.
1. This is a Khanda Kavya in oriya language relating to the iraculous achievments and martial strength of both Balaram and rikrishna who were the mundane potentates
In eighteen century Orissa, Such types of Kavyas are available in lenty from different poets of repute. Hence it can be easily assued that this Kavya might have been written during the same period entioned above.
2. First 111 folios of this manuscript are missing which is evident om the fact that it starts from the digit 112. It is continuous up to 28 digit with a missing of two in between 112 and 228 folios leaving hind 114 folios which constitute to the existing incomplete Oriya anuscript in toto on Gopa Leela of Shrikrishna.
Hence It is difficult to ascertain at present as to how many folios e missing after the digit 228 as the Gopa Leela of Shrikrishna also mains incomplete in the aforesaid manuscript and nobody can say here the Oriya poets has completed his Kavya.
3. This incomplete manuscript appears to have been copied from e original as three types of Oriya hand writing are found in the anuscript. Hence it is quite evident that three people must ha> e pied at different times from the original one-perhaps traditionally om the same family.
4. There are six lines in each folio in the entire existing manusipt except a few where four lines are also found.
5 This Khand Kavya has been written on "DAS KATHIA
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