Eminent Odia poet Ramakanta Rath to be laid to rest with full state honours today

The final rites of eminent Odia poet and Padma Bhushan awardee Ramakanta Rath will be performed today with full state honours at Swargadwar in Puri. Rath passed away yesterday at the age of 91 at his residence in Kharavela Nagar in Bhubaneswar, leaving the literary world and his admirers in deep mourning.

A Luminary of Modernist Odia Literature:

Rath, considered one of the most influential modernist poets in Odia literature, was celebrated for his profound works such as ‘Sandeha Mrugaya’, ‘Saptama Ritu’, ‘Sachitra Andhara’, and ‘Shri Radha’.

In recognition of his literary excellence, he received the Sahitya Akademi Award for ‘Saptama Ritu’ in 1977, the Saraswati Samman in 1992, and the Padma Bhushan in 2006. Further, his outstanding contributions also earned him the Sarala Award.

Life Beyond Literature Born in Cuttack

Rath completed his MA in English Literature from Ravenshaw College in Cuttack after which he joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in 1957 and went on to have a distinguished bureaucratic career, retiring as the Chief Secretary of Odisha.

He also held key positions in the central government while continuing to make remarkable contributions to Odia literature. Rath served as Vice President of the Sahitya Akademi from 1993 to 1998 and as its President from 1998 to 2003.

Chief Minister Pays Tribute

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi expressed his sorrow over Rath's passing with a post on his X handle stating, “I pray to Lord Sri Jagannath for the eternal peace of the departed soul of Rath and express my condolences to the bereaved family.”

Last Rites

The poet’s funeral will be conducted at Swargadwar in Puri, where the Odisha government has announced state honours to mark his remarkable legacy.