Bhubaneswar, Aug 19: Noted Odia poet, essayist and former scientist at CSIR-IMMT, Dr Ashutosh Parida, has been selected for the prestigious Sarala Puraskar 2026 for his poetry collection ‘Biswas De Pruthwi’, published by Prabha Publication in 2024.
Instituted annually by the Indian Metals Public Charitable Trust (IMPaCT), the charitable arm of Indian Metals & Ferro Alloys Ltd (IMFA), the Sarala Puraskar recognises outstanding literary achievements in Odia. The award will be presented at a ceremony in Bhubaneswar on October 25. Dr Parida will receive a citation, copper plaque and a cash prize of Rs 7 lakh.
Seven books were shortlisted for the final round, including ‘Aparna Mohanty ka Payeen Kabita’ by Aparna Mohanty, ‘Dahana Pada Bama Pada’ by Padmaja Pal, ‘Biswas De Pruthi’ by Ashutosh Parida, ‘Sita’ by Archana Nayak, ‘Mayabarta’ by Bijay Nayak, ‘Mokhya Mudra’ by Prakash Mahapatra and ‘Kabi ka Naam Bedbyash’ by Ramesh Prasad Panigrahi.
The book shortlisting committee comprised Dr Indira Dash, Pratiksha Jena, Amiya Bej, Pradip Kumar Panda and Abhay Nayak. The jury included Dr Sucheta Mishra, Dr Hrushikesh Mallick, Sangram Jena, Swapna Mishra, Prof Dr Natabar Satapathy, Dr Sarojini Sahoo and Ajay Kumar Mohapatra.
Meanwhile, the Ila-Bansidhar Panda Kala Samman 2026 has been announced for Odissi maestro and Padma Shri Guru Durga Charan Ranbir and sculptor and art educator Damodar Behera. Each awardee will receive a citation, copper plaque and Rs 2.5 lakh.
The selections were made by separate panels for performing and visual arts. The performing arts jury comprised Guru Puspita Mishra, Dr Nazia Alam and Suramani Abhiram Nanda, while Mrs Panchami Manoo Ukil, Mrs Sangita Patnaik and Veejayant Kumar Dash served on the visual arts panel.
Founded in 1980 by Ila Panda and Dr Bansidhar Panda, IMPaCT has played a significant role in promoting Odia literature and Odisha’s cultural heritage. The trust also instituted the Ekalabya Puraskar in 1993, which has emerged as one of the state’s leading sports awards.
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