Bhubaneswar, Oct 25: Odia poet Dr Ashutosh Parida was conferred the 47th Sarala Puraskar, instituted by the Indian Metals Public Charitable Trust (IMPaCT) and awarded annually for the best literary achievement.
The award was presented by the esteemed Chief Guest, R Vairamuthu, the renowned Indian lyricist, poet and novelist. It comprises a copper plaque, a citation and a cash award of ₹7 lakh, and recognises Dr Parida’s acclaimed poetry collection, Bishwas De Pruthwi, published by Parabha Publication.
On the same occasion, the legendary Odissi maestro Guru Durga Charan Ranbir, recipient of Padma Shri in 2025, for his contribution to the performing arts, and Damodar Behera, sculptor and art educator, for brilliance in the visual arts, were honoured with the Ila-Bansidhar Panda Kala Samman for lifetime excellence. Each artist received a citation, a copper plaque and ₹2.5 lakh.
Presiding over the function, Trustee Paramita Panda congratulated Dr Parida, describing Bishwas De Pruthwi as a profound reflection on our times, and noted that the poet has always placed social reality at the heart of his work. Reflecting on the award’s legacy, she said: “IMPaCT remains steadfast in its commitment to nurturing Odia literature, music and art. It fills us with immense gratitude to honour the luminaries. We hope their journeys inspire our younger generation to cherish this heritage and carry it forward with pride.”
Chief Guest, R Vairamuthu conferred with Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, Sahitya Akademi Award, Seven National Awards and recently the Janapith Award for 2026, in his keynote address, said “Language is a culture, and it lives in continuity with other cultures. One’s mother tongue is one’s identity. People must protect their language. When a language gains strength, its boundaries expand. I salute the two guardians of culture, Late Dr Bansidhar Panda and Late Mrs Ila Panda, who nurtured and preserved this cultural legacy for 47 years.”
Dr Pratibha Ray, Padma Bhushan awardee and Jnanpith laureate, graced the occasion as the distinguished Inaugurator and Guest of Eminence and said “I may write novels, but I read poetry extensively, as it is the heart of literature, and literature cannot exist without it. Where poets run out of words, poetry completes itself, touching the hearts of readers through its sensitivity and emotions.”
Dr Ashutosh Parida said: “I have often been asked why, having chosen a career in science, I write poetry. But science and poetry are not opposites. They share human curiosity and imagination. I have never felt any conflict between them. For me, poetry is a journey into human memory, a way of bringing a beautiful world back to life.”
The Indian Metals Public Charitable Trust (IMPaCT), founded in 1974 by Dr Bansidhar Panda and Mrs Ila Panda, has been instrumental in promoting Odia literature through the Sarala Puraskar (instituted in 1980), the Ila-Bansidhar Panda Kala Samman and the Ekalabya Puraskar
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