Sarala Sahitya Sansad, the renowned Odia literary body inaugurated its new branch in the national capital on Sunday with a function addressed by eminent persons from the state.
The function held at the Press Club of India was inaugurated by eminent poet and retired Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs, Amrendra Khatua.
Dr. Udayanath Sahoo, Professor of Adikabi Sarala Das Chair of Odia Studies, Centre of Odia Indian Languages, Jawaharlal Nehru University spoke about the poet’s contribution to the literary world beyond the state and the country.
Dr. Pravakar Swain, Founder & President of Odisha-based Sarala Sahitya Sansad presided over the function and gave details about its activities.
Reeta Rani Nayak, a Member of the Odisha Sahitya Academy and poet was declared as the Convenor of the Delhi branch of the Sansad, and Ramachandra Nath, Editor of Pallibani, an Odiya literary magazine delivered the vote of thanks.
Sarala Das was a 15th-century poet and scholar of Odia literature who was best known for three Odia books — Mahabharata, Vilanka Ramayana, and Chandi Purana.
He was the first scholar to write in Odia and is revered as the Adi Kabi (First Poet) of Odia literature. As an originator of Odia literature, his work has formed an enduring source of information for succeeding generations.
Among others, Biraja Mohapatra, Odia writer & advocate, and Debendra Nath Rout, both Delhi based, also spoke on the occasion.