Legendary Odia Poet Ramakanta Rath Passes Away at 90

Bhubaneswar: Ramakanta Rath, one of the most celebrated modernist poets in Odia literature and a recipient of the Padma Bhushan, passed away on Sunday at the age of 90. He breathed his last at his residence in Kharavela Nagar, Bhubaneswar, leaving behind an enduring literary legacy.

Born on December 13, 1934, in Cuttack, Rath pursued a master’s degree in English from Ravenshaw University before joining the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in 1957. Over the years, he held several significant positions in both the Odisha government and the Centre, eventually retiring as the Chief Secretary of Odisha.

Despite his administrative career, Rath’s literary contributions remained at the forefront. His powerful and introspective poetry earned him numerous accolades, including the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1977, the Bishuva Samman in 1990, the Saraswati Samman in 1992, and the prestigious Padma Bhushan in 2006. He was also actively involved in the Sahitya Akademi, serving as its Vice President from 1993 to 1998 and as President from 1998 to 2003. In 2009, he became the fifth Odia writer to be honored with the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship.

Rath’s poetry, known for its deep philosophical undertones and modernist approach, includes timeless works such as Sri Radha, Saptama Ritu (The Seventh Season), Kete Dinara (Of a Long Long Time), Aneka Kothari (Many Rooms), Sandigdha Mrigaya (Suspicious Hunting), and Sachitra Andhara (Picturesque Darkness). His exploration of themes like existentialism, spirituality, and human consciousness set him apart as a literary pioneer.

His passing has left the literary world in mourning, marking the end of an era in Odia poetry. Rath’s contributions to literature and his thought-provoking verses will continue to inspire generations to come.