Renowned Odia Litterateur Satakadi Hota Passes Away at 95

Bhubaneswar: Eminent Odia litterateur, journalist, and organizer Satakadi Hota breathed his last on Sunday, February 11th, at the age of 95. Hota hailed from Jagannathkhunta village in Mayurbhanj district, Odisha. He served as the President of the Odisha Sahitya Akademi from March 6, 2013, to March 5, 2016.

Hota was a versatile author, known for his timeless poems, novels, and short stories. His literary journey began with poetry, later expanding to include 27 stories, 21 novels, and a collection of poems. Some of his notable works include ‘Byakula Hrudaya’, ‘Swapna Shiuli’, and ‘Ete Swapna Ete Aloka’.

Throughout his career, Hota received numerous accolades for his literary contributions. In 1987, he was honoured with the Odisha Sahitya Akademi award for his novel ‘Ashanta Aranya’. Additionally, he received the prestigious Sarala Puraskar in 2004 for his collection of stories ‘Muktimantri’ and ‘Janani Janmabhoomi’. His contributions to literature were further recognized with awards such as the Sahitya Bharati Samman and Utkal Sahitya Samaj.

Apart from his literary pursuits, Hota made significant contributions to journalism as the Chief Editor of the Odia daily ‘Samay’. He also held key positions in the Indian Railways, serving as the DRM, Khurda Road, during his tenure with the East Coast Railway.

Furthermore, Hota was actively involved in organizing cultural events, notably serving as the President of the Bhubaneswar Book Fair. His demise marks the loss of a revered figure in Odia literature and journalism.