Odisha Littérateur Ganeswar Mishra's Contribution To Regional Novels Was Unique'

Bhubaneswar: Professor Ganeswar Mishra writings stood out in the genre of regional novels in eastern India, noted Professor Basanta Kumar Panda at a function here on Saturday.

Marking the 10th death anniversary of Prof Mishra, at a memorial event organised by Bhubaneswar-based Sateertha, a socio-cultural organisation founded by Ganeswar Mishra, Prof Panda drew parallels between Mishra’s path-breaking novel ‘Samudrika’ (1964) and Bengali novelist Tarasankara Bandyopadhaya’s ‘Hansuli Banker Upakatha’ (1947) and Hindi writer Phaniswar Nath Renu’s ‘Maila Anchal’ (1954), highlighting the importance of these three works to the genre of regional novels in India.

He pointed out that Samudrika is possibly the only novel based on the Nolias in Puri and highlighted its uniqueness in Odia literature.

Renowned litterateur Dash Benhur observed that Mishra, besides being a novelist and short story writer, had a pioneering role as a feature writer, which is perhaps the most read genre nowadays.

Well-known writer Chirashree Indrasingh reminisced about Mishra’s life and works and said efforts should be made to popularise his writings among the younger generation.

On the occasion, two books – dramatic adaptation of Mishra’s novel ‘Sakalara Muhan’ by playwright Dayanidhi Tripathy and ‘Yah Dil Ki Suno’, a translation of Mishra’s select short stories into Hindi, by Udayan Supakar – were released.

Noted storyteller Prachitara enacted a short story of Mishra while Kedarnath Mishra, Bedaprakash Nayak, Sucharita Patra and Subrat Kumar Senapati read out excerpts from the works of Mishra.

A minute’s silence was observed in memory of bureaucrat and author Dr Subas Pani, who shared decades-long a close friendship with Mishra. Pani passed away earlier this week.

Poet Saroj Bal delivered the welcome address while Dr Biraj Mohan Dash proposed the vote of thanks.