Bikalananda Kar (1902–1971) was an Indian confectioner from Odisha, widely associated with the popularisation of rasagola (rasgulla), particularly the variety known as Salepur rasagola. He founded a sweet shop in the town of Salepur in the Cuttack district, which became known across the region for its rasagolas.
| Name | Bikalananda Kar |
|---|---|
| Born | 1902 |
| Died | 1971 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Confectioner |
| Known for | Salepur rasagola |
| Region associated | Salepur, Cuttack district, Odisha |
Kar belonged to Salepur, a town in the Cuttack district of Odisha. He worked in the traditional sweet-making trade prevalent in coastal Odisha, where chhena-based sweets, especially rasagola, have long been part of the regional culinary heritage.
Kar established a confectionery in Salepur that came to be identified with a particular style of rasagola. The shop, run by his family after him, continued to operate under his name and remained a notable establishment in the broader story of Odia sweets. The Salepur rasagola associated with his shop is frequently cited alongside the Pahala rasagola as among the well-known regional varieties of the sweet in Odisha.
Bikalananda Kar is remembered as a figure in the commercial and cultural history of rasagola in Odisha. The sweet from his shop is often referenced in discussions of Odia confectionery traditions, including those that came to public attention during the geographical indication recognition of Odisha rasagola.