Odia writer Baishnab Charan Samal to receive Central Sahitya Akademi Award for ‘Bhuti Bhakti Bibhuti’ | Bhubaneswar News
Bhubaneswar: Odia writer and essayist Baishnab Charan Samal will receive the Sahitya Akademi Award 2024 for his book ‘Bhuti Bhakti Bibhuti‘, a collection of essays that explores the extended spiritual metaphors and offers a global perspective while delving deeply into universal human values. The announcement was made by the Akademi, which also named the other recipients of the award, on Wednesday.
The 85-year-old Samal while talking to media persons said, “It’s a matter of joy and I am very happy to have been selected for the award. It gives me immense pleasure that my creation has been accepted for the honour. I never portrayed narrow-mindedness through my work.”
Born on February 27, 1939, in Charigaon of Cuttack district, Samal first wrote a poem, named ‘Neta Kie’, before he started writing essays from 1964-65, with his first essay, ‘Marutirtha’, receiving accolades. Subsequently, his writings were published in several magazines. Over the years, Samal has written over 100 books of essays and non-fiction.
Throughout his career, Samal — whose writings have received readers’ appreciation for their depiction of high human values and spiritual ideas — was honoured with many awards for his contribution to Odia literature.
“I am so happy that Samal’s book was selected for the Sahitya Akademi award. Though the honour came late for him as he should have received the award much earlier,” Gourahari Das, convenor of Central Sahitya Akademi, said.
Besides being a writer, Samal was also a teacher and started his teaching career at Fakir Mohan University in 1966. He retired as a professor of Visva Bharati Central University in 2004.
The award, which includes a casket containing an engraved copper plaque, a shawl and a cash award of Rs 1 lakh, will be presented to Samal on March 8, 2025, at Kamani Auditorium, Copernicus Marg in New Delhi.
The 85-year-old Samal while talking to media persons said, “It’s a matter of joy and I am very happy to have been selected for the award. It gives me immense pleasure that my creation has been accepted for the honour. I never portrayed narrow-mindedness through my work.”
Born on February 27, 1939, in Charigaon of Cuttack district, Samal first wrote a poem, named ‘Neta Kie’, before he started writing essays from 1964-65, with his first essay, ‘Marutirtha’, receiving accolades. Subsequently, his writings were published in several magazines. Over the years, Samal has written over 100 books of essays and non-fiction.
Throughout his career, Samal — whose writings have received readers’ appreciation for their depiction of high human values and spiritual ideas — was honoured with many awards for his contribution to Odia literature.
“I am so happy that Samal’s book was selected for the Sahitya Akademi award. Though the honour came late for him as he should have received the award much earlier,” Gourahari Das, convenor of Central Sahitya Akademi, said.
Besides being a writer, Samal was also a teacher and started his teaching career at Fakir Mohan University in 1966. He retired as a professor of Visva Bharati Central University in 2004.
The award, which includes a casket containing an engraved copper plaque, a shawl and a cash award of Rs 1 lakh, will be presented to Samal on March 8, 2025, at Kamani Auditorium, Copernicus Marg in New Delhi.
