Mohapatra

Mahapatra or Mohapatra or Mahapatro is originally a Hindu family surname belonging to the Indian states of Odisha. This surname can be found among the Utkala Brahmins and Karana community of Odisha. Vaidik (Danua) Brahmins of Ganjam district also use this surname.

Social Status and Confusions

Often Odia Mahapatro or Mahapatra Brahmins are confused with Kattaha Brahmins (also known as Maha Brahmins or Mahapatra) outside Odisha. While Kattaha Mahapatra Brahmins engage in Funeral Activities, Odia Mahapatro/ Mahapatra Brahmins are authorised to conduct Yagna and other Vedic rituals. They perform karm Kand i.e., brotopanoyan, marriage, shraddh ceremony, gruha and mandir pratishtha and receive daan or dakshina.

Notable people

• Shantanu Mohapatra (1936-2020), Indian musician, singer and composer
• Jayanta Mahapatra (born 1928), Indian Writer, Poet
• Siddhanta Mahapatra (born 1966), Indian Actor
• Sitakant Mahapatra (born 1937), Indian Poet
• Jadumani Mahapatra (1781–1868), Court Poet, humourist and satirist
• Kelucharan Mohapatra (1926–2004), Indian dancer
• Manmohan Mahapatra (1951–2020), Oriya filmmaker, director, producer, and writer
• Pyarimohan Mohapatra (1940–2017), Indian bureaucrat, politician
• Souvik Mahapatra, Indian engineer
• Sona Mohapatra (born 1976), Indian singer
• Nirad N. Mohapatra (1947–2015), film director
• Nityananda Mohapatra (1912–2012), Indian writer
• Ramesh Prasad Mohapatra (1939–1989), Indian historian and archaeologist
• Rabindra Mohapatra (born 1944), Indian theoretical physicist
• Raghunath Mohapatra (1943–2021), Member of Parliament
• Bibhu Mohapatra (born 1972), Indian fashion designer
• Bijoy Mohapatra (born 1950), Indian politician
• Bhagirathi Mahapatra (born 1892), Indian politician and social reformer