Surendra Mohanty

Surendra Mohanty Biography

Surendra Mohanty was one of the leading modern fiction writers from Odia language. He was also a politician and parliamentarian. His novel Nilashaila received Central Sahitya Academy Award. His works - Sabujapatra O Dhusara Golap (1957) and Patha O Pruthibi (1987) also earned Odia Sahitya Academy Award. His work Kulabrudha earned him Sharala Award for the year 1980. Four of his novels were based on history, myth and legends – Nilashaila, Niladri Bijaya, Krushnavenire Sandhya and Ajibakara Attahasa. "Nilasaila" is his widely acclaimed work, regarded as his masterpiece. Patha O Pruthibi, Kulabruddha and Satabdira Surya are his biography works. He also authored many short stories, travelogues, criticism etc.

Surendra Mohanty was born on 21 June 1922. He was a prolific writer in Oriya and English language and had 50 books to his credit. Since 1945, he was fully active in writing for the next 4 decades. He had written in almost all the general and creative literature. He started experiments with style technique and content, while writing short stories, thus starting a new style of writing.

He served as the president of Odisha Sahitya Academy from 1981 to 1987. He was also the first editor of Odia daily, The Sambad, and later served as its chief editor. He had a stint in politics as well. He was a Rajya Sabha member twice, and Lok Sabha member twice too, quite active in his political career. Some of his famous short stories include - Yadubamsa O Anyaanya Galpa, Rajadhani O Anyaanya Galpa, Krushnachuda and Ruti O Chandra. Mahanagarira Ratri, Maralara Mrutyu, Andha Diganta and Mahanirvana are other noted works. He passed away on 21 December 1990.

Published: July 18, 2018

Updated: July 18, 2018