Bhandaripokhari: Banamali Tarai is an administrative officer, but has other talent too. He is a Pala singer, playwright and gives religious discourses.
Tarai is a native of Aul area in Kendrapara disitict. After completing B Ed and MA, he started teaching in 1984. During his 22 years of teaching career, Tarai was also an inspector of schools, participated in dramas, literary meetings and poetry recitals and commented on Rath Yatra.
Banamali Tarai got into OAS and joined as deputy collector of Jagatsinghpur district August 31, 2006. There he was in charge of seven departments. He was executive magistrate in Jagatsinghpur and Raghunathpur.
Later, he was shifted to Subarnarekha Irrigation Project and worked there for three years and afterwards he became BDO and tehsildar. Now, he has been working as BDO of Bhandaripokhari block in Bhadrak for 11 months.
The busy schedule of administrative work has not stood as a hurdle for his passion for religious discourses and literary seminars. He likes to give discourse on Sri Ram Charita Manas written by Tulasi Das and people love to listen to him.
He has a weakness for drama. He had played several roles and audience had loads of praise for him after he played a character in ‘Lakshyahira’ which was staged at Chandiagad High School. He feels sorry for sacrificing his acting interest for administrative life.
“My sources of inspiration for success in all spheres of life are my grandfather Kelucharan Tarai, wife Sulochana Tarai, sons Amit and Sambit,” he said.
In the field of administration, he lays emphasis on giving priority to problems of the poor and the helpless.
To his credit, he has written at least 20 plays which have been staged by various yatra troupes. His successful plays include Mayaharini, Kuanrikhela, Sundari Jhia Ku Sindura Mana, Nua Thikana Chithi Puruna, Jati Jataka Joutuka, Jhia Nuhen Tu Apsari, Luhare Jalichi Dipali Mora, Ye Jibana Adheidina, Chhataratoka, Dharma Thile Bujhiba and Phaguna Pherila Heba Chouthi. He has written three plays so far this year.
PNN