Cuttack: Eminent litterateur, journalist and former Congress leader Annada Prasad Ray passed away at his residence at Purighat in the city here this afternoon following a massive cardiac arrest.
He was 79 and is survived by his son Lagnajit Ray and daughter-in-law Kasturi Ray.
Family sources said Ray complained acute chest pain at about 12.30 PM. He was rushed to SCB Medical College and Hospital where the doctor declared him as ‘brought dead’.
Following his sad demise, eminent persons and political leaders rushed to his residence to have the last glimpse of the departed leader.
Born in 1937 at Mangalapur village in Jajpur district, Ray had profoundly contributed to the enrichment of Odia literature. Some of his books ‘E, Ai, Airabata’, ‘Rudra Samudra’, ‘Punascha Charcha’, ‘Dhama’, ‘Pandura Swakhyara’, ‘Matira Luha’, ‘Upanyasa Kathantara’ and ‘Balaya’ are widely acclaimed by the readers across the state.
His two other books ‘Kanta’ and ‘Phulara Sahara Kataka’ had given his identity as a celebrated writer.
His autobiography ‘Muthae Jibna Angulae Smruti’ is a masterpiece of Odia literature.
Ray has also written ‘Ja Devi’, a biography of his wife Bhaktilata. Besides, he has written a number of books on Shridi Sai Baba.
In recognition of his profound contribution to Odia literature, Ray was conferred with a number of prestigious awards notably the Sahitya Ratna Samman, Vyasa Kabi Fakir Mohan Samman, Sarala Samman and Indo-Soviet Literary Award etc.
Apart from literature, Ray was a well-known journalist. He was the founder editor of an Odia news magazine ‘Agniveena’. He was also the editor of erstwhile Odia daily ‘Matrubhumi’.
Ray was also a social activist and a popular Congress leader.
His last rites would be performed tomorrow.