Bhubaneswar: Noted Odia poet Dr Ashutosh Parida received the 47th Sarala Puraskar for his poetry collection Bishwas De Pruthwi at a ceremony in Bhubaneswar on Sunday. The prestigious literary award was presented by renowned Indian lyricist, poet and novelist R. Vairamuthu in recognition of Parida’s contribution to Odia literature.
The award, instituted by the Indian Metals Public Charitable Trust (IMPaCT), recognises outstanding literary works in the Odia language. Along with the honour, Parida received a cash prize of Rs 7 lakh, a copper plaque and a citation.
Bishwas De Pruthwi Wins the 47th Sarala Puraskar
Dr Ashutosh Parida was selected for the 47th Sarala Puraskar for his poetry collection Bishwas De Pruthwi, published by Parabha Publication.
The collection explores themes of trust, conflict, human suffering and the struggles faced by ordinary people amid wider political and social turmoil.
Speaking about the central idea of his work, Parida reflected on the impact of wars, conflicts and the continuing struggle for power and wealth on ordinary people.
He said, “Amid wars and conflicts, and the ongoing struggle for power and wealth, ordinary people are becoming helpless. As their faith continues to fade, the poet is asking the Earth to restore the trust that is being lost.”
His remarks highlighted the collection’s focus on declining faith and the search for hope in a world affected by conflict and uncertainty.
Sarala Puraskar Carries Rs 7 Lakh Cash Prize
The Sarala Puraskar is one of the prominent literary honours recognising excellence in Odia literature. Instituted by IMPaCT in 1980, the award celebrates outstanding literary contributions and helps promote the state’s rich literary heritage.
As part of the honour, Parida received:
- Cash prize: Rs 7 lakh
- Recognition: A copper plaque
- Citation: An official citation acknowledging his literary contribution
The award ceremony brought attention to the importance of poetry and literature in reflecting social realities and expressing the experiences, hopes and concerns of ordinary people.
Durga Charan Ranbir and Damodar Behera Receive Kala Samman
Apart from the Sarala Puraskar, eminent Odissi guru Durga Charan Ranbir and sculptor and art educator Damodar Behera were honoured with the Ila-Bansidhar Panda Kala Samman.
The recognition celebrates their lifetime contributions to the arts, acknowledging achievements in performing and visual arts.
Durga Charan Ranbir, who received the Padma Shri in 2025, was honoured for his contribution to the performing arts, particularly his work in Odissi.
Damodar Behera was recognised for his contributions to visual arts as a sculptor and art educator.
Each recipient received a cash prize of Rs 2.5 lakh, a copper plaque and a citation.
IMPaCT’s Contribution to Odia Literature and Culture
The Indian Metals Public Charitable Trust was founded in 1974 by Bansidhar Panda and Ila Panda. The trust works to promote Odia literature, culture and artistic achievements through its awards and recognition programmes.
In 1980, the organisation instituted the Sarala Puraskar to recognise excellence in Odia literature. It also presents the Ila-Bansidhar Panda Kala Samman for contributions to the arts and the Ekalabya Puraskar.
Through these initiatives, IMPaCT continues to recognise writers, artists and cultural figures whose work contributes to Odisha’s literary and artistic heritage.
Celebrating Odisha’s Literary and Artistic Heritage
The recognition of Dr Ashutosh Parida, Durga Charan Ranbir and Damodar Behera highlights the diverse contributions of writers and artists to Odisha’s cultural landscape.
While Parida’s poetry collection examines trust and human vulnerability amid conflict, the honours awarded to Ranbir and Behera acknowledge the importance of preserving and advancing the state’s performing and visual arts.
The awards also underline the continuing role of literary and cultural institutions in celebrating creativity and encouraging future generations of writers and artists.
