Renowned Odia Poet and Padma Bhushan Awardee Ramakanta Rath Dies.

Obituary

In March 2025, Ramakanta Rath, the renowned Odia poet and Padma Bhushan awardee, passed away at the age of 90 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Born on 13 December 1934 in Cuttack, he was a distinguished modernist poet and former civil servant.


      - Rath joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in 1957 and held several significant positions, retiring as the Chief Secretary of Odisha in 1992.

      - Known for his philosophical and modernist approach to Odia poetry, he explored themes of mysticism, existentialism, and the human condition.

      - His notable works include "Kete Dinara" (1962), "Aneka Kothari" (1967), and "Sri Radha" (1984), the latter earning him the Saraswati Samman in 1992.

Main Point :-   (i) Ramakanta Rath 's magnum opus, "Sri Radha," delves into the spiritual complexities of Radha’s devotion to Krishna.

      (ii) He served as the Vice-President and later as the President of the Sahitya Akademi, promoting regional languages and Indian literature on national and international stages.

(iii) His contributions were recognized with multiple prestigious awards, including the Sahitya Akademi Award, Sarala Award, and the Padma Bhushan in 2006 for his exceptional contributions to literature.

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