Veteran writer Sunil Gangopadhyay hands over the Kendriya Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar 2011 to Gayatribala Panda in August at Jayadev Bhavan in Bhubaneswar

She has won a number of gold medals for academic excellence. She is a bright and copious contemporary writer from Odisha, who has received numerous literary awards for her strong verses, which speak of the torture and anguish a hapless woman goes through. In conversation with t2, Gayatribala Panda, 35, winner of the 2011 Kendriya Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar for her collection of poems Gaan, reveals about her poetic journey

The Sahitya Akademi, India’s highest literary body, has conferred the Yuva Puraskar award to you for Gaan. How did it feel when you received the award?

I felt extremely delighted when I got the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar in the very year that it started. It was a proud moment as this maiden award came to Odia language through me. It was a great honour for my contemporaries and me. At the same time it makes me conscious of the responsibility that the award imposes on me in keeping the standards of all my future writings.

Tell us about Gaan?

Gaan is a collection of poetry. It’s a series of poems about rural Odisha, particularly depicting the vanishing values of life. It greatly relates to Odisha’s rural problems, issues, culture and tradition. The poems are simple and appealing. I started writing these poems after post-graduation and those were published in all leading Odia magazines. Finally, it got published in book form after eight years.

How has life changed after winning the award? What is next for you?

I feel more responsible towards my readers. I have also become a little more engaged and involved in seminars and literary events. I plan to write more on cultural strengths of Odisha.

Tell us when did you start writing? Did you always want to become a writer?

From my very childhood, at the age of eight, I began composing poems. My first poem was published when I was 12. It was never my ambition to become a writer, but the happenings around me — the events, accidents, troubles, terrors whether social or political, economical or personal — made me unhappy. Many times, it has resulted in me losing temper. As I could never express my feelings, sorrows and anger, before anyone effectively, I chose to write. My reaction to the incidents takes the shape of a poem. I feel that my feelings and reactions are better expressed in a more convenient and transparent manner through my poems.

What is your genre/style of writing? Is it only poetry that you write or stories as well?

My genre of writing is mainly poetry. But I also write stories, essays, columns in newspapers. Now, I am editing a literary Odia quarterly Anyaa.

Have you never thought of writing in English or Hindi?

I write in Odia because I can express my feelings better in Odia than English or Hindi. But I don’t want to confine myself to Odia. Sometimes I write articles in English also. I translate from English and Hindi to Odia.

Don’t you want to reach out to readers in other states?

Yes, I want to reach out to readers in other states. I can do that only by translation of my works in other languages.

Writing apart what else do you like to do?

I love to read books, listen to classical music.

Have you ever made a conscious effort to write something or did verses come naturally to you?

I have never made a conscious effort to write something. When verses come naturally, only then I write. It so happens that the muse does not strike me for six-seven months and then suddenly I write 15-16 poems within a few days.

How have your family members and friends reacted to your decision to write?

My grandfather was a novelist. I inherit qualities from him. My father was a progressive thinking person who wanted me to become a doctor. But when he saw that I was more interested in poetry than studying science, he encouraged me. As my career progressed, I got a lot of support from my husband.

Which is your favourite among the ones you have written?

It is difficult to say among five poetry collections which one is my favourite. But I can say that I am more satisfied with the poetry collection Gaan.

Do you consider yourself to be a pioneer of feminism? Has atrocities on women affected your writing?

No, I never think myself as a pioneer of feminism but I write about atrocities on women and the recent happenings affecting their status and self-respect.

What advice would you give to the Odia youth?

I write poetry when I can’t share, I can’t cry, I can’t laugh in a natural way. I write because I thought I could express myself better through writing. So, I never calculate what I have achieved or have to achieve. I just write. I think recognition by readers is the greatest award for a writer, which means a lot. And who am I to advice to the Odia youth? I’m in the same path, walking with them. I can only say that they must be honest in their thought and working.

Gayatribala Panda’s poems speak of gang rape and dowry victims and women who have been driven out of their homes

One of her best-known work is Maripari Nathiba Gote Stree Loka (A woman who could not die), where she writes about the helplessness of a woman who was raped a few years ago on Puri’s Marine Drive

She has authored six volumes of poetry, which include Ahata Pratisruti (Hurt promises), Aspasta Ishwar (Vague god), Anayatta (Uncontrolled), Gaan (Village), Jetiki Dishuchi Akasha (The sky you can see) and Dhoop ke rang, a compilation of her poems translated in Hindi

WOMEN-CENTRIC ISSUES AT THE CORE

Gayatribala emerged as the Utkal University topper in library and information science and studied journalism at Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Dhenkenal
lIn Anyaa (The other woman), a quarterly magazine that Panda has been editing for five years, she focuses on social injustices and inequalities faced by women in Odisha’s largely patriarchal society

She has participated in the Saarc Young Writers Meet in 2008 and Commonwealth Writers Meet in 2010

She has received Central Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar-2011, State Youth Award for Poetry in 2000, Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhabana Award-2011, Utkal Sahitya Samaj Yuva Kabi Samman-2010, Kadambini Kabita Samman-2003, Udaya Prativa Samman from Fakir Mohan Sahitya Parishad-2004, Basanta Muduli Kabita Samman-2006, Lekhalekhi Yuva Kavi Samman-2007, Sarala Kavya Samman-2010, Manthan Yuva Lekhaka Samman-2010, Talapadeswari Sahitya Samman-2012