Bhadrak (10 November 2026): Young Odia poet
Subrat Kumar Jena has been selected for the prestigious ‘Kabi Basanta Muduli
Poetry Award’ for the year 2026, instituted by the Kabi Basanta Muduli
Smruti Sansad. The announcement has brought joy to the literary community, as
the award is considered an important recognition among emerging poets.
The selection was finalised at a
meeting held in Bhadrak under the chairmanship of poet and Sansad president
Pabitra Panigrahi. Several literary personalities, including Arun Khullar, poet
Kishore Panigrahi, Suchitra Panigrahi, Amitabh Khullar and Sansad secretary
Krishna Kumar Mohanty, attended the meeting. Sansad members Dr Rabindra Panda,
Santanu Mahapatra and Binay Khullar were also present.
Following the recommendations and
opinions of the selection committee, Subrat Jena was chosen as the recipient of
this year's award.
Award Ceremony on December 27
The 40th Kabi Basanta Muduli
Memorial Ceremony will be organised on December 27 at 4 pm at Sanskruti Bhawan
in Bhadrak.
On the occasion, the
award-winning poet will be felicitated with a cash prize and a certificate of
honour.
Renowned storyteller Tarun Kanti
Mishra will attend the programme as the chief guest. Noted literary critic and
poet Dr Bhagaban Jayasingh will deliver the keynote address, while Dr Debashish
Patra, eminent writer and Head of the Department of Languages at Fakir Mohan
University, will attend as the guest of honour.
The details were shared by Sansad
secretary Krishna Kumar Mohanty through a press release.
A Recognised Voice in
Contemporary Odia Poetry
Subrat Kumar Jena is a familiar
name in the contemporary Odia literary scene. He was born on May 3, 1978, in
Baligari village of Jajpur district. He completed his graduation and
postgraduation from Utkal University.
Professionally, Jena has worked
as a journalist with several prominent media organisations, including Sambad,
ETV Odia and Prameya News7.
His first poetry collection, ‘Rough
Khatara Premika’, was published in 2011 by Tutuli Prakashani, with Paschima
Publications handling its distribution. His second poetry collection, ‘Kamarashalara
Padya’, was published in 2019 by Timepass Publication, Bhubaneswar.
He also participated in the SAARC
Poetry Festival as a young poet in 2008.
In recognition of his literary
contributions, Jena has received several honours, including the Nishan Poetry
Award in 2007, Mahamaya Sahitya Samman in 2009, Paschima Poetry Award in 2014
and Kalinga Literary Youth Award in 2018.
Promoting the Legacy of Poet
Basanta Muduli
The Kabi Basanta Muduli Poetry
Award aims to encourage poetic awareness and creativity among the younger
generation while preserving the literary ideals and legacy of poet Basanta
Muduli.
According to the Sansad, Jena's selection for the award is a significant recognition of his literary journey and is expected to inspire emerging talents in the field of Odia poetry.
