First Indian Poet To Win Sahitya Akademi Award For English Poetry, Poet Jayanta Mahapatra Passes Away At 95

Jayanta Mahapatra passed away in SCB Medical College Hospital, Cuttack on Sunday, August 27.The poet was admitted to the ICU of the state-owned SCB Medical College Hospital for treatment of pneumonia and kidney ailment on August 4. Having survived a cardiac arrest previously, the 95-year-old, however, succumbed to heart stroke on Sunday. 

The first Indian poet to win a Sahitya Akademi Award for English poetry, Mahapatra authored renowned Indian English Literature classics- 'Indian summer’ and ‘Hunger’, apart from 27 books of poem in English and Odia. 'Green Gardener' and 'Door of Paper: Essay and Memoirs' list among the poet's published work of prose. Mahapatra also served as an editor to 'Chandrabhaga', a yearly literary magazine focused on Indian Writings in English. The poet's work is renowned internationally, as his poetry remains etched in some of the prestigious poetry anthologies like ‘The Dance of the Peacock: An Anthology of English Poetry from India,’ published by Hidden Brook Press in Canada. Mahapatra's USP was his distinctive style of writing, beaming in authenticity, his work was devoid of any pretense and often carried a controversial, dramatic, lyrical tone. 

Mahapatra, a recipient of the Padma Shri in 2009, which he returned in 2015 to protest against “rising intolerance in India”. 

“The poet had successfully elevated the reach of Odia literature to a wider circle. His intellect and knowledge was a guiding spirit for many youngsters to write in English literature. His 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”, said Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. The eminent poet will be cremated with full state honours today, the chief minister added, wishing peace and tranquility for the departed soul.