Fakir Mohan Senapati Jayanti Celebrated
Kakatpur, Date: 17/1 — The life struggles and literary dedication of Vyasakabi Fakir Mohan Senapati remain eternally memorable for the Odia community. His unparalleled and irreplaceable role in awakening the consciousness of the Odia identity stands as a cornerstone in the cultural history of the region. His famous works such as Chha Mana Atha Guntha, Mamun, Revati, Randipua Ananta, Patent Medicine, Utkal Bhramana, Pushpamala, Prarthana, and many others have guided human society through powerful storytelling.
In honor of his contributions, the Someswar Sahitya Sansad organized the Fakir Mohan Senapati Jayanti celebration at the Bipini Bihari Harijan Residential High School in Dahikhia, Kakatpur. During the event, invited guests expressed their reflections on Fakir Mohan’s literary legacy. The program began with the garlanding of his portrait, following which Tushar Ranjan Dixit, advisor to the Mangala Trust Board and Vice President of Kakatpur Press Club, officially inaugurated the function. The event was conducted in two sessions.
The first session was presided over by retired Block Education Officer Sadhu Charan Biswal. The second session was chaired by Pandit Banabihari Grahacharya, President of Someswar Sahitya Sansad. Several dignitaries including Professor Parthasarathi Ajaya Barik, editor of Chirasandhana; Rabindra Bahinipati, editor of Konark Sahitya Sansad; Kailash Chandra Dash, Executive Officer of the Mangala Trust Board; Prabhat Kumar Tarai, Puri Sub-Registrar; vocalist Shaibalbhama Mahapatra; and educationist Prafulla Kumar Raut were present and shared their insights.
The headmaster of the host school, Suresh Chandra Raut, delivered the welcome address. Professor Manoj Kumar Sahu, editor of the literary society, introduced the guests, and teacher Hridananda Sasmal proposed the vote of thanks. In the first session of the event, thirty poets and poetesses recited their original poems, creating a rich literary atmosphere.
During the event, the organizing committee felicitated individuals such as Prakash Chandra Parida, retired headmaster Umakanta Barik, poet Sachidananda Mahanti, social worker Balaram Das, folk artist Anadi Charan Pradhan, vocalist Shaibalbhama Mahapatra, and headmaster Suresh Chandra Raut. Other notable attendees included head teacher Dipti Kumari Mahanti, Utkal Sammilani member Renubala Nayak, Prakash Chandra Jena, Upendra Raut, professor Prashanta Kumar Behera, Bijayalaxmi Mishra, and singer Sthitaprajna Ajaya Kumar.
The program served as a fitting tribute to one of Odisha’s most revered literary figures, Vyasakabi Fakir Mohan Senapati, and highlighted his everlasting impact on Odia literature and identity.