The late renowned poet Jayanta Mahapatra is mourned by Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik

On Sunday, Jayanta Mahapatra, a prominent novelist and poet, passed away. Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik expressed his profound sorrow over his loss and sent his sincere condolences to the bereaved family.

The celebrated poet’s passing will leave an unfillable hole in the literary community, the chief minister stated on his social media platform ‘X,’ adding that he would be remembered for his singular inventiveness in both English and Odia literature.

The CM also wished the departed soul tranquility and serenity.

“I am heartbroken to learn about the loss of literary icon Jayanta Mahapatra. There is an unfillable gap in the literary landscape. His singular inventiveness in both English and Odia literature will always make him legendary. May the spirit of the late author rest in peace. The dead family has my sympathies, the Odisha CM stated on “X.”

While receiving care at the Srirama Chandra Bhanja (SCB) Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, Odisha, renowned poet and author Jayanta Mahapatra died away on Sunday at the age of 95.

Mahapatra was the first Indian poet to receive a Sahitya Akademi award for English poetry, which is the country’s fourth-highest civilian honor.

He wrote poetry that are considered masterpieces in contemporary Indian English literature, including “Indian Summer” and “Hunger.”

In 2009, the poet received the Padma Shri award for his literary achievements. He did, however, reciprocate the honor in 2015.

Mahapatra, who was born on October 22, 1928, into a well-known Odia Christian family, attended school in Cuttack, Odisha. He started off as a physics instructor and taught at a number of government institutions in Odisha.

In the latter half of the 1960s, he started writing. Before his poetry were accepted by prestigious literary magazines throughout the world, his short tales and poems were first rejected by a number of publishers.

Mahapatra wrote 27 volumes of poetry, seven of which are in Odia and the other twenty-seven in English.