Noted oriya poet Deepak Mishra passes away

Kendrapada, Jan 30 (UNI) Noted oriya poet Deepak Mishra, nominated to receive Kendriya Sahitya Academy Award 2007 for his anthology of poems ''Sukha Sangita'', passed away here today following cardiac arrest. He was 68.

Family sources said Dr Mishra complained of uneasiness and was rushed to the District Headquarters Hospital, where he breathed his last.

He was scheduled to go to New Delhi on February 20 next to receive the prestigious Kendriya Sahitya Academy award.

Dr Mishra, who was presently holding the post of president of Orissa Sahitya Akademy, had penned 17 books of poem collections such as 'Asamapita', Antrustupa, Nishidha Harda (Forbidden Lake), Nirjan Nakhatra( Lonely Star), Madhanyara Chai (Afternoon's Shadow), Saptama Pruthubi (Seventh World), Sunyatara Sosha and Dhulira Singhsana Shadow's Crown).

Many of his poems were translated in English language by the Kendriya Sahitya Akademy.

Dr Mishra had refused the prestigious 'Sarala Award-2003', instituted by the Indian Metals Ferro Alloys(IMFA) group, as he and the eminent short story writer Jagadish Mohanty were declared by the trust as the joint winner of the award for literary excellencies in their respective fields.

He had also received Orissa Sahitya Academy Award in 1978 for his anthology of poems ''Bruta'' and chosen for Jhankar Awards twice and Bishuba Award for his literary works.

As the news of the demise of Dr Mishra spread in the town, several poets, writers and educationists rushed his home to pay last tribute to the noted poet.

According to Dr Ramchandra Behera, a renowned short story writer of Oriya literature and the winner of Kendriya Sahitya Academy Award 2005, the sudden demise of Deepak Mishra was a great loss for Oriya literature.

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