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Renowned Odia poet Ramakanta Rath passes away

Bhubaneswar, Mar 16 (UNI) Renowned Odia poet Ramakanta Rath passed away at his residence in Kharvel Nagar here on Sunday after a prolonged illness. He was 91.
His poetry reflects a sense of pessimism along with counter-aesthetics, and he steadfastly refused to take on the role of a preacher of goodness and absolute beauty.
Ramakanta Rath’s poetry is deeply melancholic and often laments the inevitability of death and the resultant sense of futility.
His poetic expressions are rich with symbolic annotations, often carrying a spiritual essence.
Born in Cuttack, Rath obtained his M.A. in English Literature from Ravenshaw College. He joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1957 but continued his literary pursuits. He retired as Chief Secretary of Odisha after holding several key positions in the Central Government, including Secretary to the Government of India.
Ramakanta Rath received numerous accolades, including the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1977, the Bishuva Samman in 1990, the Saraswati Samman in 1992, and India's third-highest civilian honor, the Padma Bhushan, in 2006.
He served as Vice President of the Sahitya Akademi of India from 1993 to 1998 and as its President from 1998 to 2003.
In February 2009, he was awarded a Sahitya Akademi fellowship by the Central Sahitya Akademi, becoming the fifth Odia writer to receive the honor.
Many of his poems have been translated into English and other languages.
His major works include Kete Dinara (Of a Long, Long Time) – 1962, Aneka Kothari (Many Rooms) – 1967, Sandigdha Mrigaya (Suspicious Hunting) – 1971, and Saptama Ritu (The Seventh Season).
According to family members, Ramakanta Rath breathed his last at 4:30 AM. His cremation will take place at Swargadwar in Puri on Monday.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed deep condolences on the passing of the eminent poet, often regarded as the father of modern Odia literature.
In a condolence message, the Chief Minister stated that Padma Bhushan awardee Rath was one of the greatest poets in Indian literary history. He won the Saraswati Samman for his timeless poetry Shriradha, the Central Sahitya Akademi Award for Saptama Ritu, and the Sarala Award for Sachitra Dhanar. He also received the Central Sahitya Akademi Fellowship for his contributions to literature.
Rath played a significant role in Odisha’s development, serving as Secretary in various departments and later as Chief Secretary of the state. His efforts to bring Odia literature to national and international prominence remain unparalleled, Majhi said.
The Chief Minister described Rath’s demise as an irreparable loss to the literary world. He prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and extended his condolences to the bereaved family.
Majhi also announced that the last rites of the legendary literary figure would be conducted with full state honors.
UNI DP KK
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