Mohapatra Nilamani Sahoo

Mohapatra Nilamani Sahoo Biography

Mohapatra Nilamani Sahoo was a popular Odia short story writer who received 1979 Odisha Sahitya Academy Award for Akasha Patala and 1984 Sahitya Akademi Award for Abhisapta Gandharba. In 1983, he also received Sarala Award for the same book. He translated Aurobindo's Savitri: A Legend and a Symbol. He has also delivered speeches on some of the leading cultural figures of Bengal in the late 19^th century and early 20^th century. Sahoo edited and wrote for the magazine Jhankara, and has also served as editor for many other periodicals.

The story teller Mohapatra Nilamani Sahoo was born on 22 December 1926 in Niali of the Cuttack district. He belonged to a wealthy zamindar family. After doing his schooling from his town, he completed his graduation and post-graduation from Ravenshaw College at Cuttack. He then took the job of a librarian in Sambalpur University for 2 years, before starting his career in teaching profession. He worked at many colleges as a professor of Odia language, and retired as principal of the BJB Evening College at Bhubaneshwar.

As a writer, Mohapatra Nilamani Sahoo is best known for his contributions as a short story writer. His critically acclaimed story collections include - Akasha Patala and Abhisapta Gandharba. He published many notable works in the 1950s and 1960s, and has also authored three novels - Dhara O Dhara, Tamasi Radha and Hansa Mithuna. His best short story collections also include - Prema Tribhuja, Michha Bagha, Srunantu Sarbe Amrutasya Putra, Ganjei O’ Gabesana and Andha Ratira Surya. He has also authored children’s plays and edited many works. Apart from receiving Sahitya Academy award twice, he was also a recipient of Kanta Kabi Award in 2001, the Sahitya Bharati Award in 2006, and the Utkal Ratna Award in 2013. He passed away in 2016.

Published: July 23, 2018

Updated: July 23, 2018