Binapani Mohanty, a legendary Odia writer, passed away at her residence in Cuttack on the night of April 24, 2022, due to age-related complications. Mohanty, who was a recipient of several prestigious awards including the Padma Shri and Sahitya Akademi Award has more than 100 books to credit. Also an academician, Binapani Mohanty taught Economics at Sailabala Women’s College.
Binapani Mohanty was well-known for ‘Kasturi Mriga O Sabuja Aranya’, ‘Patadei’, ‘Khela Ghara’, ‘Bastraharana’, ‘Naiku Rasta’, ‘Andhakarara’. She was a younger sister of eminent doctor Nirupama Rath and advocate Sachinadanda Mohanty, both of whom have passed away.
Prime Minister Modi expressed condolences over the demise of Binapani Mohanty. He lauded her monumental contributions to Odia literature, particularly fiction writing.
Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik also expressed grief and said that it was an irreparable loss for the Odia literature world. He also announced that Binapani Mohanty’s funeral will be held with full state honors.
Pained by the passing away of noted writer Binapani Mohanty Ji. She made monumental contributions to Odia literature, especially fiction writing. Her works have been translated in various languages and attained great popularity. Condolences to her family and admirers. Om Shanti.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi)
April 24, 2022
Binapani Mohanty: Early Life, Literary Career
1. Binapani Mohanty was an Odia writer and academician who was well known for her work ‘Kasturi Mriga’ and ‘Patadei’.
2. Mohanty was a professor in Economics before retiring and had also served as a Chairperson of Odisha Lekhika Sansad.
3. She was born in 1936 to Chaturbhuja Mohanty and Kumudini Mohanty. She completed her matriculation in 1953 and went on to study Economics.
4. Binapani Mohanty got her Bachelor’s degree in 1957 and post-graduation degree in 1959. She later worked as a lecturer and was posted to various colleges.
Literary career
1. Mohanty’s literary career as a storyteller started with the publication of ‘Gotie Ratira Kahani’ in 1960. Some of her best stories are ‘ ‘Kasturi Mriga O Sabuja Aranya’, ‘Patadei’, ‘Khela Ghara’, ‘Bastraharana’, ‘Naiku Rasta’, ‘Andhakarara’.
2. Her short story ‘Pata Dei’ was also published as Lata in Femina in 1986 and in 1987 its Hindi translation was telecast in Doordarshan as a series called ‘Kashmakash’.
3. Binapani Mohanty’s work has been translated into Hindi, English, Malayalam, Kannada, Bengali, and Marathi, among others.
4. She also penned three novels: Sitara Sonita, Manaswini and Kunti, Kuntala, Shakuntala, and a one-act play entitled Kranti. Mohanty has also translated Russian folk tales from English to Odia, among other translations.
Binapani Mohanty Books
Novels-
Sitara Sonita |
Manaswini |
Kunti, Kuntala, Shakuntala |
Short Story
Kasturi Mruga O Sabuja Aranya |
Kalantara |
Tatinira Trushna |
Bastra Harana |
Arohana |
Abhinetri |
Ekaki Parasara |
Ashru Anala |
Sakunira Chaka |
Khela Chalichi |
Anya Aranya |
Sayahnara svara: galpaguuccha |
Barsha, barsha, bharatabarsha |
Apahanca Akasha |
Andhakarara Chhai |
Padma ghunchi ghunchi jauchi |
Patadei |
Binapani Mohanty: Awards & Honours
Year |
Award |
1956 |
Sunday Prajatantra Award for Poetry |
1961 |
Jhankar for Poetry |
1968 |
Orissa Sahitya Academy Award for the short story collection titled ‘Kasturi Murga O Sabuja Aranya’ (1968) |
1973 |
Jibanranga Award for Short Story |
1985 |
Sahakar Award for Short Story |
1988 |
Sucharita Award for Short Story |
1990 |
Sahitya Akademi Award |
2002 |
Sahitya Bharatiya Puraskar |
2010 |
Uttar Orissa Sahitya Samman |
2020 |
Padma Shri |