Eminent Odia writer and literature educator Dr Nityananda Satpathy passed away on Wednesday. He was 83 and is survived by poet-wife Pratibha Satpathy and four daughters, Paramita, Madhubrata, Asita and Ipsita.
Dr Satpathy did his post-graduation at the Ravenshaw College and started his teaching career in 1962 in Ravenshaw, Later, he joined the Department of Odia in Utkal University and remained HoD from 1990 to 1992. He superannuated in 1997 as the Professor of Satyabadi Chair.
His literary creations include biography of Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das titled, ‘Hey Saathi, Hey Sarathi’, ‘Kabita Setu,’ ‘Sabujaru Sampratika,’ and ‘Saturi Ru Sahasrabdi’. He had co-authored a poetry book ‘Ama Kabita’ with his wife Pratibha.
He was also associated with many literary organisations, including Odisha Sahitya Akademi, Pujyapuja Sansad, Sampatrika and Sarala Puraskar. Sarala Puraskar was instituted because of his initiative.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Andhra Pradesh Governor Bishwabhushan Harichandan expressed deep grief over his demise. Dr Satpathy’s demise is a big loss for Odia literature and Odisha, said the Chief Minister.
The Utkal Sammilani said Odia literature suffered an irreparable loss by passing away of Satpathty, informed Manchswar branch president Dillip Dashsharma.
BJP State president Sameer Mohanty and Leader of Opposition Pradipta Naik too expressed grief over demise of Satpathy.
