Bhima Prusty awarded 44th Sarala Puraskar; ‘Ila-Bansidhar Panda Kala Samman’ for Benudhar Mohapatra, Mohini Mohan Patnaik

By Mahendra Darjee

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 26: The prestigious ‘Sarala Puraskar’ given annually by Indian Metals Public Charitable Trust (IMPaCT) for the best literary achievement was on Thursday awarded to noted fiction writer Bhima Prusty.

Prominent Marathi writer Dr. Dnyaneshwar Mulay presented this award to Mr. Prusty.

Mr Prusty got this award for his novel ‘Jambuloka.’

He was presented copper plaque and an amount of 5 lakh rupees. Along with this, ‘Ila-Bansidhar Panda Kala Samman’ was given to veteran painter Guru Benudhar Mahapatra and famous flutist Guru Mohini Mohan Patnaik, along with a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh and a plaque each.

Presiding over the event, IMPACT Trustee Paramita Panda said that since Odia has been recognized as a classical language as the sixth oldest language of the country, there has been an increase in the urgency of Odia at both the public and private levels. But four decades ago, Sarala Puraskar was introduced by Dr Bansidhar Panda and Ila Panda for the development and prosperity of the Odia literature, especially to attract and encourage new writers to literature. The clear vision and continuous efforts of both of them have succeeded today in taking Odisha’s art-literature to a respectable height.

Chief Guest Dr. Dnyaneshwar Mulay said that literature was my first love, which has become my life.

All the secrets of life are told with poetry. A glimpse of all the changes of a writer can be found through his writing. Writing and reading give such energy that even when the body is tired, there is no need for anyother entertainment.

As the guest of honour, Sarala awardee Bhima Prusty said that all stories are about human. As long as there is a human being, there is no end to the story. The symbol of all refugees is the novel ‘Jumbuloka.’

In the second session of the festival, a panel discussion on ontemporary literature was held between Dr. Mulay and Sri Prusty, moderated by poet Kedar Mishra. On this occasion, the poetry book ‘Rutu Uin Asuchi’ by Dnyaneshwar Mulay, published by ‘Timepass’ and translated by Pravasini Mahakud, was released by guests.

Hosted by actress Madhumita Mohanty, welcome music was performed by Adrut Children’s Home.

Writers and artists from different parts of the state participated and made the program a success. Kishore Mohanty, head of IMFA Corporate Affairs, Saroj Bal, Chief Coordinator of Sarala Sachivalay, assisted in organizing the grand event.

It is worth noting here that the Sarala Puraskar, Ila-Bansidar Panda Kala Samman, Ekalabya and Shambavi Awards have also been given by ‘IMPaCT’, established by the efforts of prominent industrialist and scientist Dr Bansidhar Panda and his wife Ila Panda.