Brajanath Ratha

Brajanath Ratha is an internationally recognized poet, writer, essayist and a social activist. He is known for his progressive writings. Welcoming India’s independence was the objective of his first poem. He received numerous awards not only for his writings but also for his contribution to global peace.

Brajanath Ratha was born in Sunhat, Balasore (Odisha), on 12th January, 1936. The Oriya poet’s first published set of poems was titled Marugolap, published in 1960. In his childhood, he loved collecting all kinds of books which encouraged him to open a library, when he grew up.

The library was opened under the name Biswa-Tara-Gabasena-Gara Manoj Das; the famous writer inaugurated the library, in 2008. The three-storeyed public library, which has more than 25000 books, has been named after the poets’ parents.

The author never got the library registered, and he does not seek any state support for the library. Mainly opened with the purpose of helping the research scholars, the library has various books and magazines which are written mainly in three languages- Oriya, English, and Hindi on various topics categorized under novels, fictions, autobiographies, biographies, travelogues, children’s literature, etc. A handwritten Oriya magazine, Kumkum and Hrudananda Mallick’s first Oriya story magazine is also found in this library.

The poet has published a large number of poems. Some of his published works are-Nijaswa Sanlap, Sabhyatara Munha, He Mahajibana!, He Mora Swadesh! Swanirbachita Kabita, and Samanya Asamanya. Nishabda Pratibad and Manara Manachitra are a part of his prominent works.

He has also written Laghu Sataka, Gadigadi Gali Ball, and Samayara Shabdalipi. He received the first Shudramuni Sahitya Award. He is the awardee of Vishuba Award and Gokarnika Award, in 1997 and 1999 respectively.

Punarnaba Anadi-Ananta Kabita award was also conferred to him for his work in 2002. He has also been awarded the Odisha Sahitya Academy Award for Manara Manachitra, in 1984 and the Silver Jubilee Award for poetry by Prajatantra Prachar Samiti in 1974.

In 2010, the poet has endowed Tagore Literature Awards for a poetry collection titled Samanya Asamanya which contains progressive, satirical, and philosophical poems. His lucid poetry has melodious words and phrases which touches everybody’s heart.

He was honored for his contribution to world welfare, cooperation, and services by South Korea’s Ambassador, who is a part of Global Cooperation Society International. Brajanath Ratha is married to Pushpalata Devi, and the couple has three sons. The poet was ill from a long time, and he breathed his last at the age of seventy-eight on 31st May, 2014 at Sunhat, Balasore, Odisha.