Dr. Jyotiranjan Gudia: From a Young Tribal Artist to a Scholar and Educator

Dr. Jyotiranjan Gudia in 2018, when he was studying MA 2nd year at Kalinga Institute of Social Science

The story of Dr. Jyotiranjan Gudia is one of determination, creativity, educational opportunity, and achievement. Coming from the Didayi Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) community of Muduliguda village in Malkangiri district, Odisha, he has built his journey through education, artistic talent, and a commitment to social development. His early experiences at the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) reflect how educational opportunities can help tribal students discover their abilities, pursue their ambitions, and work towards a meaningful future.

The 2017 recognition: A young artist with academic ambitions

In a feature published by the Art of Giving Facebook page on 2 July 2025, Dr. Jyotiranjan Gudia was presented as a passionate learner with artistic dreams and academic aspirations. The account highlighted his dedication to painting, his academic pursuits in Political Science, and his ambition to become a lecturer. The story and recording date back to 2017, when he was studying in the first year of his postgraduate programme in Political Science at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), as a student of KISS. At that stage of his life, he was developing two important interests simultaneously: academic learning and fine arts. According to the Art of Giving feature, his dedication and encouragement from the KISS community helped him achieve three state-level awards in painting. His artistic abilities were not merely a hobby; they were an important part of his identity and a source of confidence as he continued his education.

The feature also recorded his gratitude to KISS and its founder, Dr. Achyuta Samanta, for supporting tribal students through education and opportunities to develop their talents.

Original Facebook feature: Art of Giving: Jyoti Ranjan Gudia

Dr. Jyotiranjan Gudia in 2018 at TATA gifted library of Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences 

Education: A journey built on perseverance

Dr. Gudia’s educational journey is particularly significant because it reflects the aspirations of a young person from a remote tribal village who worked towards higher education despite financial and social challenges. His family background taught him the value of hard work, while his experiences at KISS helped him pursue his academic and artistic interests.

His educational journey progressed through the following stages:

• Higher Secondary Education (+2 Arts): 2012-2014
• Bachelor’s Degree: B.A. in Political Science Honours, 2014-2017
• Master’s Degree: M.A. in Political Science, 2017-2019
• M.Phil. in Political Science: 2019-2021
• Ph.D. in Political Science: 2021-2025

His academic journey culminated in the award of a Ph.D. in Political Science from KISS Deemed to be University in 2025. His doctoral research, titled “Continuity and Changes of Traditional Political System of the Didayi Tribe in Odisha: A Case Study of Malkangiri District,” explored the traditional political institutions of the Didayi community and the changes they have experienced over time. His research represents an important connection between academic scholarship and the preservation of indigenous knowledge. By documenting the Didayi political system, he contributed to a broader understanding of tribal governance, customary institutions, community leadership, and the relationship between traditional practices and modern democratic institutions.

Artistic talent: A creative mind beyond the classroom

Painting has remained one of the distinctive aspects of Dr. Gudia’s personality. During his student years at KISS, he developed his artistic abilities through practice, dedication, and encouragement from his educational community. His achievements in art include recognition at state-level competitions and participation in events promoting environmental awareness, youth engagement, and creative expression.

Some of his notable recognitions and artistic achievements include:

• State-level first prize in drawing at the Odisha Environment Congress in 2016.
• State-level recognition in painting competitions associated with National Youth Day in 2017.
• Recognition at Netaji Utsav in 2018.
• State-level Youth Red Cross painting recognition in 2017.
• KIIT Certificate of Excellence in 2017.
• Rajiv Gandhi Prativa Puraskar, a state-level award in Fine Arts, in 2017.

He has also created portraits of prominent personalities, including Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Narendra Modi, Ashley Judd and Vidya Balan. These works reflect his interest in portraiture, observation and the ability to communicate through visual art. His artistic journey demonstrates that academic achievement and creativity need not be separate pursuits. Both can develop together and enrich an individual's personal and professional life.

From an aspiring lecturer to a college educator

One of the most meaningful aspects of the 2017 Art of Giving feature was Dr. Gudia's ambition to become a lecturer. At that time, he was a postgraduate student with a clear aspiration to combine his love of learning with his creative interests. Over the years, he continued to pursue that goal through postgraduate education, research, and academic development. Today, he serves as a Guest Faculty member in Political Science at Government Degree College, Chitrakonda, in Malkangiri district, Odisha. His professional journey has brought him into the classroom as an educator, where he can help students understand political concepts, democratic institutions, governance, and the importance of education in society. His progress from an ambitious student in 2017 to a doctoral scholar in 2025 and a college educator represents the fulfilment of an aspiration that was already visible during his early years at KISS.

Research and contribution to the Didayi community

Dr. Gudia's academic work extends beyond personal achievement. His research focuses on the political traditions, social institutions, and cultural changes of the Didayi community, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group in Odisha. His doctoral study examined traditional leadership and decision-making institutions, customary practices, and their relationship with contemporary governance. Through fieldwork in villages of Malkangiri district, he documented the experiences and perspectives of community members. His research interests also include tribal socio-cultural transformation, indigenous arts and crafts, traditional knowledge, and the participation of tribal communities in modern democratic institutions. He has published research articles on Didayi political institutions, socio-cultural changes, arts and crafts, and tribal economic management. These publications help bring the experiences of an often-underrepresented indigenous community into academic discussions. As a researcher from the Didayi community himself, his work carries particular significance. It connects formal academic knowledge with the lived experiences, traditions, and concerns of his own community.

Social contribution and educational inspiration

Dr. Gudia's journey offers an example of the role education can play in expanding opportunities for young people from remote and disadvantaged communities. His experience at KISS shaped his academic development and helped him pursue his artistic interests. The encouragement he received from his educational community became an important part of his story, as highlighted by Art of Giving. His subsequent work as a researcher and educator provides opportunities to contribute to education, promote awareness of indigenous traditions, and encourage students to pursue higher studies. His achievements also hold symbolic importance for the Didayi community of Malkangiri district. As a doctoral degree holder from the community, he represents the possibilities that can emerge when determination, educational support, and sustained effort come together.

Conclusion: A journey of talent, education, and purpose

Dr. Jyotiranjan Gudia's story connects three important dimensions of achievement: artistic creativity, academic excellence, and educational service. The 2017 Art of Giving feature captured the aspirations of a young postgraduate student who loved painting and dreamed of becoming a lecturer. His subsequent academic journey, culminating in a Ph.D. in Political Science in 2025, demonstrates how those aspirations developed into professional and scholarly achievements. From his beginnings in Muduliguda village to his work as a researcher and college educator, his journey reflects perseverance and the importance of opportunity. His experience also illustrates how education can empower individuals to preserve their cultural heritage while participating in wider academic and social life. His story is not only about earning degrees or receiving awards. It is also about nurturing talent, pursuing knowledge, and using education to create opportunities for others. The young artist introduced in 2017 has continued to grow into a scholar and educator, carrying forward both his creative spirit and his commitment to education.