Gokulananda Mahapatra

Gokulananda Mahapatra Biography

Gokulananda Mahapatra was an Indian scientist from Bhadrak, Odisha, who was also known as a science fiction writer. He popularized science in the Odia language and has contributed over 95 science fiction and children science books. He was the first literal from Odia language to win the prestigious Kalinga Prize by UNESCO, and he won the award for popularizing science through works. He was presented the award in 2010. His book E juga ra sreshtha abiskara received Odia Sahitya Academy award. He has also strived for popularizing science in Orissa. Apart from authoring science books, he also founded Orissa Bigyana Prachar Samhiti. He has been honored with PhD from the Utkal University.

The science author Gokulananda Mahapatra was born on 24 May 1922 in Bhadrak, Odisha. He completed his Master’s in science degree from University of Calcutta. After pursuing Fellow in Chemistry from abroad, he started his professional career as a lecturer. He remained a faculty throughout his career, and retired as the Head of the Department of Ravenshaw University. He was married to Kumudini Mohapatra, an Odio writer and translator who also authored science fiction works like Chandra Abhimukhe Abhijaan and travelogues and much more.

He wrote his first book Pruthvi Bahare Manisa at the age of 26. While he was studying English at Presidency College, Kolkata science fiction books inspired him a lot. During his academic years since school days, he faced scarcity in regional language books like Odia and his teachers used to translate Bengali and other language books to their mother tongue. It also prompted him to write books in Odia language.  

His science fiction works include - Mrutyu rashmi, Pruthibi bahare manisha, Sunara Odisha, Mrutyu eka matrutwa ra, Krutrima Upagraha, Nishabda Godhuli, Chandrara Mrutyu and Nishchala pruthibi.    Bigyanara srestha abiskara, Chaturtha parisara, E jugara srestha abiskara, Udanta thalia and Bigyana bichitra are among his published stories. He firmly believed that he succeeded because he followed his passion.

Published: July 17, 2018

Updated: July 17, 2018