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Surendra Mohanty

スレンドラ・モハンティ

Surendra Mohanty

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1922-06-21 （Purusottampur village, Cuttack District, Odisha, India）
Died
1990-12-21 （Satichoura, Cuttack, Odisha, India） age 68
Nationality
India
Languages
Odia, English
Residence History
Odisha (formerly Orissa), India

Career

Occupations
novelist, short story writer, author, editor, politician
Active Years
1945-1990
Affiliations
Ganatantra Parishad, Utkal Congress, Indian National Congress, Odisha Sahitya Akademi - President (1981–1987), The Sambad - first editor and later chief editor
Memberships
Member of 2nd and 5th Lok Sabha, Member of Rajya Sabha (1952–1957, 1978–1984)

Awards

Sahitya Akademi Award
1957
Work: Sabujapatra O Dhusara Golap
Organization: Sahitya Akademi
Result: 受賞
Sahitya Akademi Award
1987
Work: Patha O Pruthibi
Organization: Sahitya Akademi
Result: 受賞
Central Sahitya Academy Award
Work: Nilasaila (Nilashaila / Blue Hill)
Organization: Sahitya Akademi (central)
Result: 受賞
Sarala Award
1980
Work: Kulabrudha
Organization: Sarala
Result: 受賞
Padma Shri
Organization: Government of India
Result: 受賞
Orissa/Odisha Sahitya Akademi Award
Organization: Orissa/Odisha Sahitya Akademi
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Nilasaila (Blue Hill)

1968 Historical novel

A historical novel set in early 18th-century Odisha recounting events surrounding King Ramachandradev, his conversion, and the struggle to protect the idol of Lord Jagannath. Explores religion and Oriya identity.

religion and faithethnic/communal identityhistory and memory
Translations
  • Nilasaila (translated as Blue Hill)

Niladri Bijaya (Triumphant return to Niladri)

1980 Historical novel

A sequel-like novel dealing with the triumphant return of the deity to its original place and the efforts of the king—formally converted—to restore the deity, ending tragically for the protagonists.

return and ritualfaith and exclusiontragedy

Krushnavenire Sandhya (Evening on the banks of river Krishna)

1985 Historical novel

Set in the early 16th century, the novel deals with the conflict between Prataprudra and Krishnadeva Raya and the subsequent moral and spiritual changes experienced by the characters.

war and powerspiritual transformationhistorical reconciliation

Ajibakara Attahasa

1987 Historical novel / Critical-biographical

Set in the 3rd century BCE, the novel critically reexamines Emperor Ashoka and Buddhist institutions of the time, questioning traditional heroic depictions and austerity-based tenets.

critique of religionpower and facadeparadox of history

Bibliography

  • Andha Diganta
  • Nilasaila
  • Kalantara
  • Niladri Vijaya
  • Neti Neti
  • Achalatana
  • Dui Simanta
  • Bandhu O Priya
  • College Boy
  • HamsaGitee
  • Krushnachuda
  • Ajibakara Attahasa
  • Patha O Pruthibi
  • Kulabrudha
  • Shatabda Ra Surya
  • Nayanpur Express
  • Mahanagarira Ratri (The Night of the Metropolis)
  • Maralara Mrutyu (The Death of a Swan)
  • Mahanirvana (The Final Departure)
  • Yadubamsa O Anyaanya Galpa
  • Rajadhani O Anyaanya Galpa
  • Ruti O Chandra (The Bread and The Moon)
  • Shesha Kabita
  • Shesha Stambha

Translations of Works

  • Nilasaila (translated as Blue Hill)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
blends history and myth in narrativedetailed depiction of local culturelyrical yet narrative-driven style
Recurring Motifs
religion and ritualethnic identityreinterpretation of history

Legacy

Surendra Mohanty was a major Odia writer acclaimed for historical and myth-based novels. As president of the Odisha Sahitya Akademi, newspaper editor and parliamentarian, he left lasting influence in both literary and political spheres.

Academic Societies

  • Odisha Sahitya Akademi

Trivia

  • Prolific author with around 50 books.
  • Served as President of the Odisha Sahitya Akademi (1981–1987).
  • First editor and later chief editor of the newspaper The Sambad.
  • Served as member of both houses of Indian Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha).
  • Best-known work Nilasaila is acclaimed for its portrayal of Odisha's history and religious sentiments.