Rupali Square, now a busy hub in Bhubaneswar, was once known as Food Corporation Square. Its new name carries a heartfelt story of a small hotel and the girl it was named after
Panchanan Samanta
The capital city of Bhubaneswar is home to numerous squares, one of which is located in the VVIP area of Saheed Nagar and is known as “Rupali Square.” But who exactly is Rupali? Where did she reside? What is her origin? These questions inevitably arise.Do the residents of Bhubaneswar truly know Rupali or have they ever encountered her?
Back in the seventies, Rupali Square did not exist; it was referred to as Food Corporation Square due to the location of the FCI office nearby .
At that time, there were no markets or shops in the vicinity. The government buses, painted in red for OSRTC and pale blue for ORT, would traverse this street. Nowadays, this square is bustling with activity, but in the 70s, instead of people, one could only see cuckoos wandering the streets.
At that time, G. Pappa Rao, who traveled from Chikalkhandi in Chatrapur to Bhubaneswar, established a small hotel at Food Corporation Square, naming it “Rupali Hotel.” Pappa Rao had a deep affection for Rupali, the daughter of his younger brother from Chikalkhandi, which inspired him to name the hotel after his beloved niece.
In the early morning, he offered delicious Idli, Vara, Gulugula, Sambar, and Ghuguni. The breakfast items were exceptionally tasty. Tea was prepared by Laxmi, who is Pappa Rao’s actual daughter. In the evenings, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes were available.
As time passed, the demand for the establishment increased dramatically, evolving from a modest hut into a more substantial asbestos house. The journey from the Vani Vihar campus to the Food Corporation Square marked a significant transformation, as the place gained considerable recognition within the local community. The popularity of Rupali Hotel was so pronounced that the area eventually became known as Rupali Square.
Interestingly, despite the hotel’s fame, Rao’s niece never had the opportunity to visit this establishment, nor did she ever set foot in Bhubaneswar. In contrast, Rao’s daughter, Laxmi, frequently accompanied her father to the hotel, where they would spend time together. Many patrons and locals mistakenly assumed that she was simply another face associated with Rupali Hotel, unaware of her true identity.
In 1982, a land conflict reached a critical point, leading to the definitive closure of the gourmet establishment Rupali Hotel. The young woman for whom the restaurant was named, Rupali, passed away nearly 40 years ago.
Nevertheless, her name continues to reside eternally in the hearts of the residents of the capital city, Bhubaneswar.
(The writer is a retired Officer in AG, Bhubaneswar.Views are personal)
