Mohapatra Nilamani Sahoo | |
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 Mohapatra Nilamani Sahoo in 2012 | |
| Born | (1926-12-22)22 December 1926 |
| Died | 25 June 2016(2016-06-25) (aged 89) Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Writer |
| Notable work | Akasha Patala Abhisapta Gandharba |
| Spouse | Prasanna Kumari Devi |
| Children | Guruprasad Mohapatra |
| Signature | |
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Mohapatra Nilamani Sahoo (22 December 1926 – 25 June 2016), surname also speltSahu, was an IndianOdia language short story writer. He received several literary awards over his career, including the 1979Odisha Sahitya Academy Award forAkasha Patala, and the 1983 Sarala Award and the 1984Sahitya Akademi Award in Odia, forAbhisapta Gandharba. Sahoo died on 25 June 2016 after multiple organ failures.[1][2]
Sahoo was born on 22 December 1926 in the townNiali of theCuttack district in a wealthyzamindar family. He studied and completed matriculation at theBinjharpur High School and later went on to finish his graduation and post-graduation in Odia at theRavenshaw College at Cuttack. After post-graduation, Sahoo took the job of librarian at theSambalpur University where he continued for two years. Later he took the post of lecturer of Odia at the Bhadrak College, followed byParalakhemundi Government College atGajapati. Sahoo became vice-principal and later principal of the BJB Evening College at Bhubaneshwar.[1][3]
Sahoo wrote various short stories in Odia language. His popular works includePrema Tribhuja (1952),Michha Bagha (1955),Srunantu Sarbe Amrutasya Putra (1957),Ganjei O’ Gabesana (1961),Andha Ratira Surya (1965) and more. He also published novel;Dhara O Dhara,Tamasi Radha andHansa Mithuna.[1] Sahoo also wrote one-act and children's plays.[4] His 1979 bookAkasha Patala (literally "Heaven and Hell") won him theOdisha Sahitya Academy Award. The short story compilationAbhisapta Gandharba (literally "The CursedGandharva") received theSarala Award in 1983, followed by aSahitya Akademi Award for Odia in 1984.[3][5] The book was translated intoHindi by Siddharth Mansingh Mahapatra in 1992.[6]
From 1965 to 1969, Sahoo edited and wrote for the magazineJhankara. He was also the editor of other periodicals such asUtkala Prasanga andOrissa Review from 1975 to 1978.[1] InJhankara, he often wrote on philosophies ofSri Aurobindo.[7] He translated Aurobindo'sSavitri: A Legend and a Symbol and delivered lectures on Aurobindo,Ramakrishna Paramhansa andSwami Vivekananda.[8]
Sahoo was the recipient of theKanta Kabi Award in 2001, theSahitya Bharati Award in 2006, and theUtkal Ratna Award in 2013.[1][8] His stories described the subtleties of human emotion[9] and featured verbal as well as situational comedy.[10] His works are also noted for satirizing human idiocies.[11]
"His short story bookAbhisapta Gandharba is one of the finest works of Odia literature. He will always be remembered for his outstanding contribution to Odia literature. With his death, the state has lost an exceptional writer."
–Naveen Patnaik,Chief Minister of Odisha, eulogizing Sahoo.[2]
Sahoo died on 25 June 2016 at the age of 89 in a private hospital atBhubaneswar. He suffered fromprostate cancer and was admitted to hospital on 24 June after falling critically ill. He died after multiple organ failures.[12] He was survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.[13]
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: publisher location (link)| International | |
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