Odisha Sahitya Academy holds Literary Meet at Rayagada
Rayagada, January 12: “Though our mother-tongue Odia needs to be energised to make our literature progressive, multilingualism certainly enhances the literary acumen of literature lovers”, said Sri Jagannath Mohanty, District Collector, Rayagada during a literary meet held at Krushna Chandra Nagar Bhawan, Rayagada and organised by Odisha Sahitya Academy, Bhubaneswar.
Octogenarian Sarvodaya Leader Dr.Ratan Das, who attended the meeting as a special guest of honour expressed his concern over the fast degeneration of human values in the society and hoped that literature will take a tilt to mould our future generation to upkeep human values in the society. Koraput constituency MP Sri Jhinna Hikaka gave example of Gopinath Mohanty, who stayed in his village and could create a literature by synthesising the life and mundane issues of tribals. It was only possible as his plotted stories were experiential and from ground zero.
As a discussant Smt Bidulata Huika, State Convenor of Odisha Adibasi Mancha, talked about the tribal literature. “The creativity of tribals are reflected in their community dance and song, shaman’s chanting of recitals, songs pertaining to occupation and marriage. Their stories are treasures of history. If documented, they will run into volumes of literature. The adibasis themselves need to proact in this regard. If govt complements the effort, it will be a bonus to the tribal society”, said Smt Huika.
While the first session of this creative congregation was moderated by Odisha Sahiyta Academy Member Sri Sushanta Nayak, the second session was moderated by Prof. Dr.Dushmanta Kumar Mohanty of Rayagada Women’s College. Sri Lal Bihari Himirika inaugurated the one day literary meet with the theme “Need of Literature in the context of present life”. Laureates like Dr.Pritidhara Samal and Sri Ameya Bikramanandan Bhuyan joined as honourable guests.
Other discussants included Dr.Kumuda Chandra Mishra, Principal, Rayagada College, Sri Chandra Sekhar Hota, Sri Dambarudhar Pattanaik, Dr.Narendra Mishara, Sri Basudeb Patro, Sri Golak Chandra Dalai who spoke at length. In the afternoon session poetry recital was done by Kabi Sri Basudeb Routray and many other young students from local colleges where the Chief Guest was Sri Laxmikanta behera, ADM, Rayagada. Other guests on the dais were Dr.Niranjan Buxipatro, Vice-Chairman, Rayagada Municipality, Sri Kedar Nath panda, Sri Jayaram Jena & Dr.Gouranga Rout. Sri Debendra Kumar Bauri moderated this session and Sri Ashutosh Patra, Sri Prafulla Chandra Padhi, Sri Rajesh padhi and Sri Nilamani Pattajoshi coordinated the last session.
Sri Aswini Kumar Mishra, Secretary of Odisha Sahitya Academy delivered the valedictory speech and vote of thanks. The entire event was facilitated by Sri Sushanta Nayak, one of the youth and energetic poets of the region and editor of literary magazine Panchabati.