Madhavi Pattanayak

Madhavi Pattanayak
Born	Bentapura, Puri District
Occupation	Poet
Language	Odia
Subject	Religious Poetry

Madhavi Pattanayak(orMadhavi Dasi,16th-century CE) was one of the earliest female poets to write in theOdia language.She was a disciple ofSri Chaitanyaand a contemporary of the famousPancha Sakhapoets in the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries.

Early life and family

Madhavi Pattayanak was born in a well knownKaranafamily in Bentapura, a village of thePuri district.After becoming a widow at a young age, Pattayanak began to live with her cousinRamananda Ray,who was the governor ofRajahmundry.During this period, Pattayanak, Ramananda, and Pattayanak's brother Sikhi Mohanty all became followers of SriChaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Literary works

Pattayanak was devoted to the godJagannath.She wrote religious poetry in the mid-16th century.