Eminent Odia Poet, Former Bureaucrat Ramakanta Rath Passes Away at 90
Bhubaneswar: Renowned Odia poet and former IAS officer Ramakanta Rath passed away at the age of 90 in Bhubaneswar.
Born on December 13, 1934, in Cuttack, Rath earned a master’s degree in English Literature from Ravenshaw University. He joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in 1957 and held key positions, including Odisha’s Chief Secretary, before retiring in 1992. Despite his bureaucratic career, his dedication to literature remained unwavering.
A pioneering voice in Odia poetry, Rath’s works are known for their modernist and philosophical depth. His acclaimed poetry collections include Kete Dinara (1962), Sandigdha Mrugaya (1971), Saptama Rutu (1977), Sachitra Andhara (1982), Sri Radha (1985) and Sreshtha Kavita (1992). His masterpiece Sri Radha earned him the prestigious Saraswati Samman in 1992. His poetry has been widely translated into English and several Indian languages.
Rath received numerous literary accolades, including the Sahitya Akademi Award (1977), Sarala Award (1984), Bishuva Samman (1990) and Sahitya Akademi Fellowship (2009). In recognition of his contribution to Indian literature, he was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2006.
Apart from his literary achievements, Rath played a significant role in shaping India’s literary landscape. He served as Vice President of the Sahitya Akademi (1993-1998) and later as its President (1998-2003).
His demise leaves an irreplaceable void in Odia literature.
