Sitakant Mahapatra

Bhubaneswar, Jan. 25: The state burst into joy to see prolific author Sitakant Mahapatra’s name among the Padma Vibhushan recipients for this year.

This year, Mahapatra is the only Oriya to have made it to the Padma awards.

The septuagenarian author, humble as usual, says he dedicates the award to Orissa.

“Receiving the Padma Bhushan in 2003 was a great honour. Having been chosen for Padma Vibhushan now, I personally feel happy. But I’m happier for the fact that the award comes to Orissa,” he says.

“I take pride to be an Oriya and the award is a recognition for the state. Being from Orissa, you tend to get overlooked if not neglected,” he adds.

Recipient of many awards, Mahapatra is known for the fragrance of his native in his works, both in Oriya and English. Many of his works have been translated into more than a dozen foreign languages. His anthologies of poetry in Oriya have been translated to many European languages, including English, Chinese, Arabic and even Hebrew. His prose and poetry have been translated into all Indian languages. He has published over 15 poetry collections and anthologies and collections of essays and prose. His notable works include Sabdar Akash (The Sky of Words), Samudra, Anek Sharat and so on. A former IAS officer, he was former secretary of the Union ministry of culture and also president of UNESCO’s World Decade for Cultural Development.

Sitakant was also former chairman of the National Book Trust.

At present, he is working on some of his own writings.

“I’m busy translating some of my earlier poetry in Oriya and English. Occasionally, I’m also penning down prose. Of course, fresh poetry also keeps me busy,” he says.

“Though I still wish to continue writing dynamically, social and public engagements keep me occupied. Hence, I’m trying to keep away from them as much as possible,” he says.

Mahapatra, who has already written three travelogues, Many Autumns, Sharp Sword and Chrysanthemum and Those Days at Harvard, is working on two new travelogues that describe his travel experience in Europe and Asia.

He is also writing a book on his days at Cambridge. “Over the last year, I have been trying to give as much time to myself as possible. There is so much to be written and so little time,” he smiles.

The literature fraternity of the state is rejoicing the news of the Padma Vibhushan to Mahapatra. “He deserves the award and this news has brought pride and honour to the state,” said litterateur Ramachandra Behera, who is also president of the Orissa Sahitya Akademi.