Bhubaneswar, Aug. 10: Eminent writer, educator and renowned linguist Ganeswar Mishra passed away at a private hospital here this morning.

Mishra, who was revered for his outright views and lucid writing, had been ailing with cancer.

Born in 1942, Mishra was a well-known author and translator. He had published both fiction and non-fiction, and also edited a number of texts in Odia and English, with around 100 publications in English - both academic and creative.

He has won several awards, including the Odisha Sahitya Akademi award.

He received the award for his work Bilatare Babu O Papu in the children's literature category. He had also earned many rare distinctions for his literary and academic achievements including a PhD from London.

Mishra started his academic career at Utkal University and later shifted to Kent and London universities. He has also taught English literature at Utkal University for decades. He has also been the president of the Akademi and had also taken up the role of founding-editor of an Odia daily.

His last rites were done in Puri. Many eminent members from the literary fraternity paid homage at his Gajapati Nagar house.

"Despite having studied in London, he was deeply connected to his roots and contributed a lot for Odisha's literature with his versatility," educator Biswaranjan said.

"His demise is a huge loss for the state's literary fraternity. His health challenged him and yet he was busy promoting Odia literature," writer Sauribandhu Kar said.

Wife Surangini, a retired reader in economics at the Odisha Education Service, and three sons survive the litterateur.