Bhubaneswar: A state-level celebration marking the birth anniversary of noted Odia poet Kabibara Radhanath Ray was organised at Gitagovinda Sadan here under the aegis of the Department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture.
The programme was jointly organised by the Odisha Sahitya Akademi and the Kabibara Sahitya O Seva Pratishthan and featured a literary congregation and discussion session.
Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj attended the event as the chief guest and paid tribute to Radhanath Ray, highlighting his contribution to Odia literature and identity.
Suraj said Ray’s literary works continue to inspire readers and writers and urged young authors to draw inspiration from the poet’s life and ideals.
He said Ray’s writings reflected a distinctive synthesis of Odia and Indian identity, while giving strong expression to Odia consciousness. His poetry connected the individual with the wider world and brought life and vitality to the inanimate, the minister said.
The minister emphasised that Ray’s literary creations should continue to guide and inspire future generations.
A discussion titled “Kali O Aaji Khabarkagazre Sahitya” was also held during the programme. Former editor and founder of Sambad Soumya Ranjan Pattnaik, Prameya editor Gopalakrishna Mahapatra, Subarta editor Pradyumna Satapathy, litterateurs Prof Dr Adikanda Sahu and Prof Dr Sanghamitra Mishra, and Utkal Sahitya Samaj general secretary Rajib Kumar Sadangi, among others, participated in the session.
Odisha Sahitya Akademi secretary Dr Chandra Shekhar Hota, Kabibara Sahitya O Seva Pratishthan secretary Deba Narayan Sethi, its president Gopinath Barik, and litterateur and researcher Dr Arabinda Giri were among those present.
