Mahakumbha of Indian Poets: Parichaya National Literary Festival concludes in Bhubaneswar
PNLF is festival as a rare confluence of intellectuals and creative luminaries, says Dr. Phani Mohanty
By Prasanna Paikaray
Bhubaneswar, Nov. 28: The fourth edition of the Parichaya National Literary Festival—widely acclaimed as a Mahakumbha of Indian poets—was celebrated with grandeur on November 15 and 16 at the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre in Bhubaneswar. The event was organised under the leadership of Parichaya President Prayas and Chairperson Dr. Rosalin Patsani Mishra.
Around 200 poets, translators and authors from across the country took part in the festival, representing 23 languages, including six marginal and tribal languages. Over two days, they recited their works in multilingual sessions that showcased the depth and vibrancy of India’s linguistic and literary traditions.
The festival was inaugurated by Odisha Legislative Assembly Speaker Smt. Surama Padhi, while the valedictory session was graced by Padma Shri Prof. Debiprasanna Pattnaik. Among the distinguished guests were former Sahitya Akademi Secretary Dr. K. Sreenivas Rao; eminent critic and Akademi Awardee Prof. Prafulla Kumar Mohanty; and former Project Director of the Classical Odia Language project, Prof. Basant Kumar Panda.
Addressing the gathering, event advisor Dr. Phani Mohanty described the festival as a rare confluence of “intellectuals and creative luminaries of our great nation.” He said festivals like PNLF help “bridge the gulf between one language and another,” enabling writers to interact and collectively reflect on issues concerning Indian languages and literature.
Dr. Mohanty cautioned against a “dangerous trend” of divisive rhetoric around languages, driven by vested interests. “Some are trying to divide the creative community for petty political mileage. Supremacy of one language over another is not acceptable,” he said, emphasising that every Indian language is “sweet, colourful and deeply rooted in its cultural heritage.”
He stressed that the imposition of one language over another is “unwarranted and unjustified,” calling instead for dialogue and exchange. “We can overcome this crisis only through discussions and interactions that affirm our unity in multiplicity,” he added.
On the role of poetry, Dr. Mohanty said it remains one of literature’s purest forms—an “aesthetic search for love, truth, beauty and compassion.” Poetry, he remarked, “is like a prayer… it facilitates conversation between life and the world, between poetry and people.” He cautioned that over-intellectualisation is the “greatest enemy of poetry,” noting that true poetry “records the language of the human heart.”
Dr. K. Sreenivas Rao was felicitated with an angavastra, a silver memento of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra, and a marble idol of Goddess Saraswati in recognition of his contribution to Indian literature.
A special issue of Parichaya Quarterly and 21 translated works—including portraits, stories and novels—were released during the inaugural and valedictory sessions by Speaker Surama Padhi and Padma Shri Prof. Pattnaik.
