Bhubaneswar: Noted Indian poet and Padma Shri awardee Jayanta Mahapatra passed away at the age of 95 while undergoing treatment at SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH) in Cuttack on Sunday evening. He was suffering from pneumonia and other age-related complications.
Born on October 22, 1928, Mahapatra was the first Indian poet to win the Sahitya Akademi Award for English poetry. He authored poems such as ‘Indian Summer’ and ‘Hunger’, which are regarded as classics in modern Indian English literature.
He was awarded Padma Shri in 2009 but returned the award in 2015 protesting against the much-debated and rising intolerance in the country. Explaining this, Mahapatra claimed it to be a personal choice and clarified that it is in no way connected to Sahitya Akademi.
Meanwhile, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has expressed grief over the demise of Mahapatra. In a message, the Chief Minister described Mahapatra as a legendary author and poet, who excelled in both English and Odia literature.
“Mahapatra’s mellifluous words will continue to weave their magic reminding us of the power of human expression. The vivid imagery of his writings about daily life, particularly drawn from Cuttack, will always remain a rich encapsulation of Odia life,” added the Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister has announced that the late poet will be cremated with full state honours on Monday.
