Rajendra Kishore Panda Passes Away at 81 | Odia Poet Remembered for Literary Legacy
Bhubaneswar, Oct 24: The literary world mourns the loss of Rajendra Kishore Panda, one of Odisha’s most revered poets and writers, who passed away today at the age of 81. He breathed his last at 11:30 AM, leaving behind a legacy that shaped modern Odia literature.
Born on June 29, 1944, Panda balanced a distinguished career in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) from 1967 to 2004 with his deep passion for poetry. His literary contributions include 16 acclaimed poetry anthologies, with Shailakalpa earning him the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award in 1985.
Over the decades, Panda’s work was recognized with several honors, including the Gangadhar National Award in 2010 and the Kuvempu Rashtriya Puraskar in 2020. His writing, known for its lyrical depth and philosophical introspection, continues to inspire generations of readers and scholars.
Tributes have poured in from across the literary community, with fellow writers and admirers expressing heartfelt condolences and celebrating his enduring influence on Odia literature.
