Bhubaneswar: Navigating the crowded streets of Odisha’s capital during the day and crafting verses in the silence of the night, Bipin Harichandan leads a life shaped by perseverance and poetry. An auto-rickshaw driver by profession, Bipin has quietly built a parallel identity over the past 25 years as a dedicated Odia poet, having written more than 150 poems despite financial struggles and long working hours.
Bipin usually writes between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m., when the city slows down and his thoughts find rhythm on paper. For the past seven to eight years, he has been driving an auto-rickshaw to support his family. Before that, he worked at a private company but chose self-employment after facing workplace difficulties.
“I felt it was better to work independently than live under constant command,” Bipin says, recalling how a line from his own poetry inspired him to take control of his life.
Poetry on the Move
Poetry does not come to Bipin on a fixed schedule. Sometimes, inspiration strikes while he is driving. When there are no passengers, he pulls over, opens his notebook, and writes. This spontaneous discipline has helped him create a substantial body of work that has earned him recognition in literary circles.
His poems have been published in well-known Odia literary magazines such as Swagatika, Kabi O Kabita, Kathare Kathare, Saptpheni, and Manaswini. He is frequently invited to literary events and has been honored by several institutions. One of his proudest moments came when he was felicitated by former Odisha Chief Minister Janaki Ballabh Patnaik.
Faith and Inspiration
Bipin credits his writing ability to divine blessings. “My pen started flowing with the blessings of our village goddess Maa Bhagabati,” he says. He recalls a dream during Kali Puja in which a goddess called him to her temple—an experience he describes as life-changing. “Since then, my pen has not stopped,” he adds.
Originally from Anjira village in the Kanas block of Odisha’s Puri district, Bipin grew up with five siblings. He lost both his parents in 2004. Today, he lives with his wife Archana in the Khandagiribari area of Bhubaneswar, whom he credits as his strongest supporter.
Dreams Beyond Survival
Despite his passion, Bipin admits that earning a living has become harder. Increasing competition from city buses and declining passenger numbers have reduced his income. “Driving gives me the joy of observing people and life, but financially it is becoming difficult,” he says.
Still, his dreams remain intact. Bipin hopes to publish his own poetry collection one day and eventually write a book documenting the history of his village. Financial limitations and lack of time stand in the way—for now.
For Bipin Harichandan, poetry is not a pastime; it is a voice for unspoken emotions. Between the chaos of traffic and the calm of midnight, his story stands as a reminder that literature can thrive far beyond privilege—finding life even in the most ordinary journeys.