Puri: The holy town of Puri witnessed a vibrant literary evening on Sunday as the Odia short story collection ‘Unmilana’, co-authored by Prasanta Mishra (Pundarika) and Kumar Aurojyoti (Ambarisa), was officially launched. Published by Astitva Prakashan, the anthology was introduced to readers in a grand event marked by thoughtful discussions and cultural performances.
The occasion drew an esteemed panel of guests including renowned researcher Dr. Sidheswar Mohapatra, heritage scholar Dr. Surendra Kumar Mishra, accomplished writer Pramoda Devi, and literary critic Debi Prasanna Nanda. A soulful musical performance by Saswati Dash set the tone for the evening, captivating attendees and setting a reflective mood for the discussions to follow.
During the event, both authors shared personal insights into the creation of the stories, reflecting on the emotions and ideas that shaped Unmilana. The collection was praised by the speakers for its originality at a time when short stories are becoming increasingly rare in contemporary Odia literature, which has seen a surge in poetry.
Dr. Surendra Kumar Mishra offered a historical overview of Odia prose and highlighted the important role of short stories in literary tradition. Dr. Sidheswar Mohapatra, a well-known temple priest and linguist, lauded the authors’ literary zeal and urged them to continue contributing meaningfully to Odia literature.
Literary critic Debi Prasanna Nanda shed light on some of the stories from the book, emphasizing their social relevance and relatable themes. Senior writer Pramoda Devi underscored the need for literature to convey positive and transformative messages, especially in times of social change.
Several other literary enthusiasts, including Ashoka Manjari Nayak, Lakshmikanta Tripathy, and Dr. Sarat Kumar Mohanty, also shared their reflections on the collection, offering diverse perspectives on the stories and the craft behind them.
