Bhubaneswar: The last rites of eminent Odia poet and former bureaucrat Ramakanta Rath will be performed with full state honours at Swargadwar in Puri on Monday.
Rath passed away early on Sunday at the age of 91 at his residence in Kharavela Nagar in Bhubaneswar, leaving the literary world and his admirers in deep mourning.
As per information, the mortal remains of Rath will be taken to Puri for cremation at Swargadwar. The government has already announced that the last rites will be performed with full state honours.
While a pall of gloom has descended on the literary world following the demise of Rath, people of different walks of life have mourned his death. A host of dignitaries paid their homage to the departed soul and offered floral tributes at his Bhubaneswar residence.
Considered one of the most influential modernist poets in Odia literature, Rath was celebrated for his profound works such as ‘Sandeha Mrugaya’, ‘Saptama Ritu’, ‘Sachitra Andhara’, and ‘Sriradha’.
He was honoured with the Sahitya Akademi Award for ‘Saptama Ritu’, Saraswati Samman in 1992, and the Padma Bhushan in 2006 in recognition of his contributions to the world of literature. His outstanding contributions also earned him the Sarala Award.
Born on December 13, 1934, in Cuttack, Rath completed his master degree in English from the erstwhile Ravenshaw College and joined Indian Administrative Service in 1957. He spent the initial service period in hilly and tribal belts of Kalahandi and Phulbani.
Rath served as secretary to the Government of India and as the chief secretary to the Government of Odisha before retiring in 1992. He later worked as a consultant for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Guyana. Additionally, he served as vice-president of the Kendriya Sahitya Akademi and honorary chairman of the Odisha Maritime Academy.
