Bhubaneswar, Feb. 13: An electronic compilation of the works of prominent Odia writer Bamacharan Mitra has been released at the ongoing Bhubaneswar Book Fair.

Around 90 short stories and the essays written by the author have been put together in the compact disc (CD).

It also contains the three novels that he had translated in Odia. A number of his stories were translated in various languages such as Bengali, English and Telugu, and they are also preserved in the disc.

That apart, his short story Pita and Putra translated in Spain also finds place in the disc.

Moreover, a number of authors had written about Mitra in various articles - a collection of 30 such articles have also been preserved in the CD.

A prominent short story writer of Odisha, Bamacharan Mitra wrote a large number of stories focusing on the lives of the underprivileged people of the state. Bamacharan Galpa Sambhar, a collection of 24 short stories written by him, is quite popular among the Odia readers.

An initiative taken by acity-based organisation, Srujanika, it aims to preserve the works of prominent Odia writers in forms that render them available to readers easily and suitable for scholarly research.

"The pioneering works of our writers form a major part of the future of our literary heritage. Hence, one of the best ways to maintain them is through electronic literature. It gives a long lifespan to literature and acts as an excellent medium of preservation at museums," saidPuspapshre Pattnaik from Srujanika.

The fair under way at the Exhibition Ground in the city has become a hub for bibliophiles. Every day, writings of young and old authors are released at the festival.

"Book lovers and research scholars assemble here in large numbers. Hence introducing the electronic version of the works of such an eminent writer here would enhance its visibility," saidBarendra Krushna Dhal, secretary of the festival committee.

The fair is on till February 22.