Who is Pratibha Ray? Celebrated Odia Author Receives Sahitya Akademi Fellowship!

Pratibha Ray, a distinguished Odia author, has been awarded the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship, marking a significant milestone in her literary career. During a ceremony in Bhubaneswar, she was recognized as a 'living legend' by the Sahitya Akademi President. The event featured discussions on her contributions to literature and highlighted her role as the first woman from Odisha to receive this honor. Ray's acceptance speech underscored the importance of the Odia language and the state's rich literary tradition, drawing a large audience of writers and scholars. This recognition not only celebrates her achievements but also emphasizes the cultural significance of Odia literature.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 11, 2026, 10:11 IST

Celebration of Literary Excellence

Bhubaneswar: Renowned Odia author Pratibha Ray was honored with the esteemed Sahitya Akademi Fellowship during a special event at the Sanskruti Bhavan auditorium on Thursday. The Fellowship plaque was presented to Ray by Sahitya Akademi President Dr. Madhav Kaushik, who referred to her as a 'living legend of Indian literature' in his address.

The event commenced with a devotional song performed by Adyasha Das. Sahitya Akademi Secretary Varun Gulati provided introductory comments and read the citation for the Fellowship. A literary discussion was also held, chaired by Gaurahari Das, the Convener of the Odia Advisory Board of Sahitya Akademi. Notably, Ray is the first female author from Odisha to receive this prestigious Fellowship, as highlighted by Das.

Prominent figures such as writer Devaprasad Dash and Professors Sanghamitra Mishra and Prafulla Kumar Mohanty spoke about Ray's life and her impactful contributions to both Odia and Indian literature. In her acceptance speech, the author of 'Yajnaseni' emphasized the significance of the Odia language and the rich literary heritage of the state. The event saw a large turnout of writers, students, and scholars.