Noted Odia Poet Dr Ashutosh Parida Conferred 47th Sarala Puraskar
The award carries a cash prize of Rs 7 lakh, a copper plaque and a citation: Reports
BHUBANESWAR: Noted Odia poet Dr Ashutosh Parida was conferred the 47th Sarala Puraskar for his acclaimed poetry collection ‘Bishwas De Pruthwi’ at a ceremony here on Sunday.
Instituted by the Indian Metals Public Charitable Trust (IMPaCT), the Sarala Puraskar is presented annually in recognition of outstanding literary achievement in Odia. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 7 lakh, a copper plaque and a citation.
Renowned Indian lyricist, poet and novelist R. Vairamuthu, who attended the function as the chief guest, presented the award to Dr Parida. The winning collection was published by Parabha Publication.
On the occasion, eminent Odissi exponent Guru Durga Charan Ranbir and noted sculptor and art educator Damodar Behera were honoured with the Ila-Bansidhar Panda Kala Samman for their lifetime contributions to the performing and visual arts, respectively. Each award carries Rs 2.5 lakh, a copper plaque and a citation.
Presiding over the ceremony, IMPaCT trustee Paramita Panda congratulated Dr Parida and described ‘Bishwas De Pruthwi’ as a profound reflection on contemporary realities. She noted that social realities had consistently remained at the heart of the poet’s literary expression.
Highlighting the legacy of the Sarala Puraskar, Panda said IMPaCT remained committed to nurturing Odia literature, music and art. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to honour distinguished personalities whose contributions had enriched Odisha’s cultural heritage.
She also expressed hope that their achievements would inspire younger generations to value, preserve and carry forward the state’s rich literary and artistic traditions.
In his keynote address, Vairamuthu emphasised the importance of preserving one’s mother tongue and maintaining cultural continuity. “Language is a culture, and it lives in continuity with other cultures. One’s mother tongue is one’s identity. People must protect their language. When a language gains strength, its boundaries expand,” he said.
Paying tribute to the late Dr Bansidhar Panda and the late Ila Panda, whose vision and patronage helped sustain the cultural initiative, Vairamuthu said their contribution to preserving and promoting the region’s cultural legacy deserved recognition.
The annual Sarala Puraskar, named after the 15th-century Odia poet Sarala Das, is among the prominent literary honours in Odisha.