Eminent Odisha poet Brajanath Ratha passes away

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Baleswar, May 31:

Eminent Odia poet and Odisha Sahitya Academy awardee Brajanath Ratha passed away at his Sunhat residence here today.

He was 79 and was ailing for a long time.

Born on January 12, 1936, Ratha had carved a niche for himself in the literary world through his powerful and prolific pen. He was the recipient of many prestigious awards like the Orissa Sahitya Academy Award, Vishuba Award, Gokarnika Award, Shudramuni Sahitya Award and was also honoured by the Global Cooperation Society International, Seoul, Republic of Korea for his contribution to world welfare, cooperation and services.

The Odia poet was awarded the Tagore Literature Award in 2010 for Samanya Asamanya, a poetry collection containing three different strands – progressive, satirical and philosophical.

Ratha wrote his first poem to welcome India’s independence in 1947 when he was only 11.

His poetry has been described as simple, artistic and melodious and characterised by a magical power that played on the emotions of the reader.

He was conferred with the Odisha Sahitya Academy Award for Manara Manachitra and was also awarded the silver jubilee award for poetry by Prajatantra Prachar Samiti, Cuttack.

The Fakirmohan University, Baleswar conferred Rath with Doctor of Literature (Honoris Causa) (D. Litt.) in the year 2011.

Brajanath Ratha’s literary creations include:

Poetry

Marugolap (1960)

Nijaswa Sanlap (1969)

Nishabda Pratibad (1977)

Sabhyatara Munha (1979)

Manara Manachitra (1984)

He Mahajibana! (1991)

Laghu Sataka (1993)

He Mora Swadesh! (1997)

Gadigadi Gali Ball (2001)

Swanirbachita Kabita (2001)

Samayara Shabdalipi (2007)

Samanya Asamanya (2007)

Eka Eka Ekapadi (2009)