Girijakumar Baliyar Singh Wins Sahitya Akademi Award 2025 for Padapurana

Renowned Odia poet Girijakumar Baliyar Singh has been awarded the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award 2025 for his acclaimed poetry collection Padapurana.

Published in 2020, the work has been praised for its lyrical depth and its ability to weave Odisha’s spiritual traditions with contemporary social reflections.

The Odia language jury, comprising Gayatri Saraf, Dr Jayanti Rath, and Shyama Prasad Choudhury, selected Padapurana from ten shortlisted works spanning essays, short stories, plays, and novels.

The award underscores Baliyar Singh’s contribution to Odia literature and his unique poetic craftsmanship that resonates deeply with readers.

This recognition not only celebrates the poet’s artistry but also highlights the enduring relevance of Odia literature in India’s cultural landscape.