Reba Ray

Reba Ray (1876–1957) was a pioneering Odia poet, educator, journalist, and social reformer who stood as one of the earliest prominent female literary voices in modern Odisha. The niece of Bhaktakabi Madhusudan Rao and wife of reformer Sadhu Charan Ray, she dedicated her life to female literacy, social emancipation, and literary revival during a critical period of regional renaissance. In 1892, Reba Ray established Asha, widely recognized as the first women's magazine in Odisha, which served as a crucial platform for addressing women's issues and encouraging female authors. She also launched Prabhat (1909), one of the earliest Odia literary journals dedicated to children. Her famous poetic anthology, Anjali (1904), earned widespread acclaim for its lyrical beauty, emotional grace, and spiritual introspection. Beyond her pen, she was a dedicated activist who established a primary school for girls in Cuttack, laying early foundations for institutional female education in the state. Through her groundbreaking efforts in journalism, poetry, and social reform, Reba Ray blazed a transformative trail for future generations of Odia women writers and intellectuals.