Bijay Mishra was a prominent Oriya dramatist. Born in 1936, he started writing for professional companies but, since the closure of the commercial theatre, associated with amateur groups. Thus, after a few plays in traditional style like Janani or `Mother` in 1960, an adaptation of Nihar Ranjan Gupta`s novel Maya mriga in 1960, Ashantagraha or `Restless Planet` in 1964, and Timira tirtha or `Dark Shrine` in 1965. He switched over to continuous experimentation.

Mishra`s Sababahaka mane i.e. `Pall Bearers` in 1968 opened new horizons for Oriya drama. This was a play of mental conditions where the colourless, unmasked, eternal human has been dissected before a corpse. Although there is nodding novel in examining the eternal greediness of human beings, in stage technique it became a trendsetter. It introduced the division of acting zones, use of symbolic wooden framework, and skilful freezes to Oriya theatre. Mishra`s Tata Niranjana i.e. `Banks of Niranjana` in 1978, Jane raja thile i.e. `Once There Was a Raja` in 1982, Badshah i.e. `Sovereign` in 1983, and Parasuram in 1984 explored newer themes and methods. Middle-class helplessness, ailments, and failure, along with contemporary hypocrisy and double-dealing form the subject matter of Mishra`s work. He aims to make people aware of social dangers and relieve the present ills of society by analysing it carefully and sympathetically. He collects his material, assimilates it, and serves it before his audience in innovative ways. His original thought, deep insight, and expression of intimate feelings show sharp dramatic intuition. His brief but meaningful, even philosophical, dialogue always conveys a special flavour.

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