The 46th Sarala Puraskar conferred upon Devdas Chhotray
‘Ila-Bansidhar Panda Kala Samman’ for Guru Ramhari Das & Baladev Maharatha
By Swagatika Das
Bhubaneswar, Oct.26 : Notable poet & fiction writer Devdas Chhotray received the 46th Sarala Puraskar instituted by Indian Metals Public Charitable Trust (IMPaCT) which is offered annually for the best literary achievement. Prominent Hindi poet & writer Prof Savita Singh presented this award to Shri Chhotray, which comprises of a copper plaque, citation and award amount of Rupees Seven Lakhs for his short-story collection ‘Matinee Show’.
On this occasion, legendary Odissi musician & vocalist Guru Ramhari Das and well-known painter Baladev Maharatha were conferred with the ‘Ila-Bansidhar Panda Kala Samman’. Both the artists received a citation, plaque and Rupees Two Lakhs and Fifty Thousand, each.
Presiding over the function, Trustee Mrs. Paramita Panda said that Sarala Puraskar winner Shri Devdas Chhotray has always won the respect of readers and listeners for his unique presentation style. In the award-winning collection of short stories, he has taken many common principles of life to extraordinary heights, which are not only enjoyable to read, but also educational and imitative. For the overall development and prosperity of Odia language and literature, Dr. Bansidhar Panda and Ila Panda introduced the ‘Sarala Puraskar’ four decades ago. I feel that this award has represented the Odia Asmita in taking the art and literature of Odisha to a respectable height.
On this occasion, the chief guest Professor Savita Singh said that Literature is made by human beings for their own happiness and felicity. And this happiness seeks beauty and social justice for all in the universe. Love is in the centre of all this social work which poetry performs freely. I am so very happy that my favourite poet, Devdas Chhotray has received this award. It will not only do good for Odia literature alone, literature all over the world. His poetry adds to the world literature and in its depth it touches all who read him.
Sarala award winner Shri Devdas Chhotray said that I do not write for any uninformed audience, in whom I have no faith. I write only for myself and for a few of my friends. And I write again to ease the pain of passing time. I am eternally grateful to the organizers of the Sarala Puraskar for my ‘Matinee Show’ being considered a collection of short stories.
The Indian Metals Public Charitable Trust (IMPaCT), founded in 1974 by Dr. Bansidhar Panda and Mrs. Ila Panda, has been instrumental in promoting Odia literature through the Sarala Puraskar (instituted in 1980), Ila-Bansidhar Panda Kala Samman, and Ekalabya Puraskar.
