Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Cuttack, Feb 4:

Distinguished scholar, academician and poet Pathani Patnaik breathed his last at his residence in Odisha’s Cuttack after a protracted illness. He was 89.

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Patnaik passed away at his Keonjhar Colony residence near Kanika Chhak here.

The Kendriya Sahitya Akademi award winner has penned over 50 books. His popular works include Odia Sahityara Bhumika (1957), Sahitya Parikrama (1962), Sahitya Bichara (1962), Bharatiya Sahityara Bhumika (1968), Prabandha O Samalochana (1968), Sahitya Sanhati O Sanskruti (1972), Gangadhar Sahitya O Tapaswini (1972), Samaja O Sahitya (1975), Jibani Sahitya Eka Adhyayana (1977), Odia Sahitya Itihasa (1978), Sahitya O Samiksha (1978), Kabimanisi Nilakantha (1984), among others.

In 2015, Utkal Sahitya Samaj, the oldest literary organization of the state, had felicitated Patnaik with 'Ajiban Barenya Sadasya' or Lifetime Honorary Membership of the organization.

He has also served as the principal of Christ College here and president of Odisha Sahitya Akademi from 2000 to 2003.

He was born on September 19, 1928 at Golbai village in Khurda.

While pursuing his academic career, he went on to become the first editor of hand-written literary magazine Prativa. During his post graduation days, he worked as an assistant editor with Odia monthly Jhankar founded by Dr Harekrushna Mahatab.

It was a huge loss to the state as one more literary person passed away today. Veteran publisher Sahadev Pradhan passed away this morning. He was ailing since few days. He was the proprietor of Friends' Publishers.

People from the industry mourned the demise of the duo. Well-wishers, intellectuals and people from various walks of life paid last respect to the departed souls.