Bhadrak, February 15: The third edition of Salandi Sahitya Sangam, the largest literary festival of North-East Odisha, concluded today at Sangam Convention on the Bhadrak Bypass. The two-day festival was organized by the Bhubaneswar-based publishing house Timepass.
The second day began with a yoga session conducted by Shree Shree Hugula. This was followed by a panel discussion titled “Jeevanara Gapa, Gapara Jeevan” (Stories of Life, Life of Stories), moderated by Dr. Pragya Prabartika Dash. The discussion featured Shubha Narayan Swain, Dr. Subrata Kumar Senapati, Swarup Nayak, Dr. Trupti Ranjan Das, and Pragya Paramita Rath.
Another session titled “Prema O Jagar: Jagaran Hi Prema” was moderated by Dr. Abhaya Das, with participation from Dr. Bishwaranjan Das, Dr. Radharani Mahapatra, Gangadhar Biswal, and Atul Bal.
Poetry Recitation and Artistic Performance
Poetry recitation session on the theme “Prema O Jagar”, moderated by Antaryami Mishra, Sumit Panda, and Kamadeb Maharana, saw readings by noted poets including Dr. Prabhat Nalini Mahapatra, Pabitra Mohan Dash, Kishore Panigrahi, Utpal Mohanty, Gauri Sahu, Angurbala Parida, Manamayi Rath, Sridev, Suchitra Panigrahi, Bichitrananda Jena, Manoj Kumar Bal, Manisha Biswal, Jitu Pradhan, Preetipadma Das, Kshirodini Behera, Satyajit Das, Pratibha Khilar, and Sanjukta Bal.
Contemporary artist Birendra Pani created a live painting on stage, adding a visual dimension to the literary celebration.
Engaging Discussions and Dramatic Deliberations
The discussion “Gapa Pachhara Gapa” (The Story Behind the Story), moderated by storyteller Pabitra Panigrahi, featured Rajanikant Mohanty, Dr. Radhabinod Nayak, Jharana Pattnaik, Prashanta Kumar Das, and Sangram Keshari Senapati, who spoke about the inspirations behind their works. Shailendra Mahapatra presented a review of the session.
Another lively discussion titled “Natakare Natakeeyata: Satar Dhankuni”, moderated by Srigobinda, brought together eminent theatre director Badal Sikdar, Lala Biren Ray, and Amitabh Khilar for an engaging conversation on dramaturgy.
Cultural Performances and Awards Ceremony
In the afternoon, renowned vocalist Shekhar Ghosh presented devotional songs and the popular number “Hrudayara Ei Shunyataku…”. A documentary on Gyanapitha award-winning writer Dr. Pratibha Ray was screened by Timepass.
On the occasion, Dr. Pratibha Ray was conferred with the Nityananda Mahapatra Upanyas Award. Dash Benhur received the Kantakabi Laxmikanta Mohapatra Galpa Award, Dr. Aparna Mohanty the Kabisekhar Chintamani Mohanty Poetry Award, Shekhar Ghosh the Manmohan Sabat Music Award, and Sabyasachi Mohapatra the Nirad Mohapatra Film Award. Each awardee was presented with a uttariya, memento, and a cash prize of ₹10,000.
Prashanta Kumar Das and Saroj Ranjan Mohanty, editor of Jhankar magazine, were honored with the Sahitya Sakha Samman.
The book “Shreshtha Galpa” by Dr. Radhabinod Nayak was inaugurated for the readers by Dr. Pratibha Ray. On the occasion, the author’s daughter Lipipushpa Nayak shared her heartfelt reflections.
Festival directors Dr. Bikash Narayan Nanda, Basudev Barik, Purnachandra Bahali, and Pramod Ray were also felicitated. During the valedictory session, Sangam President Pabitra Panigrahi and Director Saroj Bal interacted with Dr. Pratibha Ray and satirical poet Gyana Hota.
The successful organization of the festival was made possible with the support of Tilottama Bal, Samas Bal, Anshuman Panda, Kailash Behera, Niranjan Barik, Bismaya Bihari Sahu, and many others.
