We have heard many witty stories from the legendary Birbal of Akbar's court, to his counterpart from South, Tenali Raman from the court of Raja Krishna Dev Ray. In Odisha we have our Kabi Jadumani, a poet with ready wit humor. I don't remember the name of the King who was his patron.
Last but the least, most Odias from our generation must have heard about our legendary GOPALA BHANDA (Gopal, the mischievous prankster). Not sure if such a person really existed. In all likelihood he is a fictional character with rustic wit, ascribed to a plethora of local jokes.
One famous anecdote involves Gopal Bhanda and his employer King (more like a small time Chieftain rather than an Emperor). Once the royalty was blessed with a child. The elated King asked favorite court jester Gopala, how he felt. The later responded, "CHHAMU (My Lord), my feeling is similar to the relief one gets subsequent to taking a huge dump, especially after a complete clearance of the bowel as clean as a whistle".
The King was furious and sentenced his court jester to death. The witty Gopal asked the King for a last wish, in form of the king consuming a big meal (rumored to be laced by with JAMALA, a high fibre laxatives given to horses to relieve their constipation by Gopala), to be followed by a joint boat ride inside lake. The king felt flabbergasted by this wierd request, but nevertheless obliged to the last wish of his favorite court jester.
After a few hours in the middle of the lake all of a sudden the King was overwhelmed by Nature's call, feeling a sudden urge to relieve himself. He pleaded Gopal Bhanda to oar the boat towards the shore. Gopal delayed it long enough for the King to beg him to row faster. No sooner than he got close to the shore, the King jumped off the boat and started steeple chasing through the shallow water, aiming to go behind the bushes. But unable to hold himself any further, the King was forced to evacuate himself on the white river sand. Few moments later, a much relieved and relaxed King, ensuring that no one saw him, came with a big smile and forgave his vassal. Now in a pleasant mood, he admitted that he completely misunderstood Gopal Bhanda and rewarded the later with several gold coins. I do remember a CHATI (thin) Odia book GOPALA BHANDA RAHAHASYA (The mythical Gopal Bhanda), mostly available near Bus Stands in Odisha. It must contain many more such stories about him.
yes there used to be a television programme on gopala bhanda too in dd odia perhaps.....me and my sisters used to watch it often
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