Jajpur: At a time when most children of his age group are busy with study and playing games, Biraja Shankar Padhi, a six-year-old from Mangarajpur village under Rasulpur block in Jajpur district has surprised many by memorizing Odia ‘Bhagabata’ . Not only remembering, Biraja has mastered the art of reciting the Odia scripture written by Atibadi Jagannath Das.

Biraja, a Class I student of Kabirpur Saraswati Sishu Mandir, has memorised Bhagabata after listening his grandmother and aunt while reading the literature in morning and evening daily. For this extraordinary quality, Biraja has been invited to different places outside the State and won many accolades.

Due to financial constraints the child has been staying with his Divyang mother at his maternal uncle’s place in Mangarajpur village. His father works as a supervisor at a private company and is staying outside the State.

“I have completely memorized the Bhagabata and loves to recite it,” said Biraja with an excitement.

Though at this tender age Biraja has not understood the greatness of Bhagabata, he aims at popularising the scripture at every nook and corner of the State in future once he grows up.