Odisha Govt Announces Cremation Of Eminent Litterateur Satakadi Hota With State Honour

Bhubaneswar: The cremation of Odisha’s eminent litterateur Satakadi Hota, who passed away on Sunday, will be performed with state honour.

This was announced by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik while expressing his condolences to the bereaved family. With the demise of Hota, Odia literature has suffered irreparable loss, he said in his message.

“Hota had earned high reputation as an established litterateur in Odisha. An accomplished story-writer, poet and translator, he has left behind an indelible mark on Odia literature. Besides, he was an able administrator and an editor of repute,” Naveen said.

Hota served in the Indian Railways for several years. Having been inducted into the all-India IRTS cadre at a quite young age, he was posted in various places which enriched his creative life and distinguished himself as a man of letters.

He started his literary career by composing poems which were collected in a book called ‘Madhuchhanda’ in 1966. He delved into story-writing from 1972 and has 12 story collections and 6 novels to his credit. He has also authored more than 100 essays.

His writings portrayed the complexities and varieties of life with reference to general decay in values and morality as well as man’s increasing propensity for loneliness and helplessness.

Hota was honoured with Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award and Sharala Purashkar for his contributions to Odia literature.