Bhubaneswar: Prominent Hindi poet and writer Prof. Savita Singh presented the 46th Sarala Puraskar to noted poet and fiction writer Devdas Chhotray on Sunday.
Instituted by Indian Metals Public Charitable Trust (IMPaCT), Sarala Puraskar is awarded annually for the best literary achievement. Chhotray received a copper plaque, citation and Rs 7 lakh for his short-story collection ‘Matinee Show’.
Legendary Odissi musician and vocalist Guru Ramhari Das, and well-known painter Baladev Maharatha were conferred the ‘Ila-Bansidhar Panda Kala Samman’. Both artists received a citation, plaque and Rs 2.5 lakh each.
Trustee Paramita Panda, who presided over the function, said that Chhotray always won the respect of readers and listeners for his unique presentation style.
“In the award-winning collection of short stories, he has taken many common principles of life to extraordinary heights, which are not only enjoyable to read, but also educational and imitative. For the overall development and prosperity of Odia language and literature, Dr Bansidhar Panda and Ila Panda introduced the ‘Sarala Puraskar’ four decades ago. I feel that this award has represented the Odia Asmita in taking the art and literature of Odisha to a respectable height,” Paramita said.
Chief guest Professor Savita Singh said literature is made by human beings for their own happiness and felicity. “And this happiness seeks beauty and social justice for all in the universe. Love is in the centre of all this social work which poetry performs freely. I am so very happy that my favourite poet Devdas Chhotray has received this award. It will not only do good for Odia literature alone, literature all over the world. His poetry adds to the world literature and in its depth it touches all who read him,” stated Savita.
Chhotray said he doesn’t write for any uninformed audience in whom he has no faith.
“I write only for myself and for a few of my friends. And I write again to ease the pain of passing time. I am eternally grateful to the organisers of the Sarala Puraskar for my ‘Matinee Show’ being considered a collection of short stories,” he said.