Cuttack: Mortal remains of the globally acclaimed Indo-Anglian poet Padma Shri Jayanta Mahapatra were consigned to flames at the Khan Nagar Crematorium here as per his last wishes.
Amidst family, friends, well-wishers and several personalities from the literary circle Mahapatra was cremated with full state honours.
Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain, Cuttack Collector Bhabani Shankar Chayani, and Chairman Cuttack Development Authority (CDA) Anil Samal offered their tributes to the legendary poet and were present during the cremation.
Mahapatra who was a Christian by birth had expressed his desire to be cremated as is in the case of Hindus upon his death. He had expressly mentioned so in his will.
“The void created with the demise of Odia poet and philosopher Jayanta Mahapatra would be difficult to fill. He was born into a Christian family, however, he adopted the composite culture of Cuttack City. His will is a testament to it. He was open-minded and committed to the composite culture of Odisha and India. I on behalf of the government and our Chief Minister have come here to offer guard of honour to the departed poet,” stated Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain speaking to reporters at the crematorium.
Similar sentiments were expressed by CDA Chairman Anil Samal.
Samal offered his tributes to the departed soul while stating that the void created Mahapatra’s demise would be very difficult to fill.
“He was a symbol of brotherhood for Cuttack City. He will be remembered for his timeless literary creations. He had wished that his last rites be conducted here, so therefore we have gathered here,” Samal said.
Mahapatra, 95, breathed his last on Sunday evening at the SCB Medical College and Hospital here. He was under treatment for age-related ailments since August 4.
Two days back, his health condition deteriorated and he was kept under ventilator support in the medicine department of the hospital. Mahapatra suffered a brain stroke and passed away following a cardiac arrest at 9 p.m.
Mahapatra was one of the most widely-known poets of the modern period. His poems dealt with all human emotions but most of them centered around human relationships. Mahapatra’s popular poems such as ‘Indian Summer’ and ‘Hunger’ are regarded as classics in modern Indian English Literature.
In 2015, protesting the growing intolerance in the country, Mahapatra returned his Padma Shri award which he was conferred in 2009.
Mahapatra’s grandparents had converted to Christianity during the devastating 1866 famine in Orissa province.
The poet’s wife and his only son have predeceased him.
