Renowned feminist writer and fiction author Sarojini Sahoo was honored with the prestigious Sarala Puraskar for her acclaimed novel Asthira Pada. The award, instituted by the Indian Metals Public Charitable Trust (IMPACT), includes a citation and a cash reward of ₹5 lakh. A distinguished jury, comprising esteemed Odisha literati such as Gourahari Das, Bhagaban Jayasingh, Tapas Samantaray, and Baijayanti Mishra, selected the novel after two rigorous rounds of screening.
The award ceremony also celebrated legendary artist Sudarshan Sahoo and noted playback singer Tansen Singh, who were conferred the Ila-Bansidhar Panda Kala Samman for lifetime excellence in the fields of art and music. Both received ₹2.5 lakh and a citation for their outstanding contributions.
Renowned academic and author Devdas Chhotray, along with IMPACT trustee Paramita Mahapatra, presided over the awards presentation. Chhotray shared a nostalgic moment, recalling how his father, playwright Gopal Chhotray, was honored with the same award in 2000, though unable to attend the ceremony.
Winner Sarojini Sahoo said that her pen is her identity. “After the announcement of Sarala Puraskar, I reconnected with the rest of the world. For the friends and relatives, I seemed to rise again. This is a strange life force, a wonderful awakening from deep sleep.”
Founded in 1980 by visionary industrialist Bansidhar Panda and his wife Ila Panda, the Sarala Puraskar has since become one of Odisha’s foremost literary accolades, celebrating outstanding contributions to Odia literature and arts annually.
Renowned feminist writer and fiction author Sarojini Sahoo was honored with the prestigious Sarala Puraskar for her acclaimed novel Asthira Pada. The award, instituted by the Indian Metals Public Charitable Trust (IMPACT), includes a citation and a cash reward of ₹5 lakh. A distinguished jury, comprising esteemed Odisha literati such as Gourahari Das, Bhagaban Jayasingh, Tapas Samantaray, and Baijayanti Mishra, selected the novel after two rigorous rounds of screening.
The award ceremony also celebrated legendary artist Sudarshan Sahoo and noted playback singer Tansen Singh, who were conferred the Ila-Bansidhar Panda Kala Samman for lifetime excellence in the fields of art and music. Both received ₹2.5 lakh and a citation for their outstanding contributions.
Renowned academic and author Devdas Chhotray, along with IMPACT trustee Paramita Mahapatra, presided over the awards presentation. Chhotray shared a nostalgic moment, recalling how his father, playwright Gopal Chhotray, was honored with the same award in 2000, though unable to attend the ceremony.
Winner Sarojini Sahoo said that her pen is her identity. “After the announcement of Sarala Puraskar, I reconnected with the rest of the world. For the friends and relatives, I seemed to rise again. This is a strange life force, a wonderful awakening from deep sleep.”
Founded in 1980 by visionary industrialist Bansidhar Panda and his wife Ila Panda, the Sarala Puraskar has since become one of Odisha’s foremost literary accolades, celebrating outstanding contributions to Odia literature and arts annually.
