BHUBANESWAR: Noted writer Binapani Mohanty passed away at her residence in Cuttack at the age of 86 on Sunday. She was suffering from old-age related ailments. Several eminent persons including prime minister Narendra Modi, governor Ganeshi Lal, chief minister Naveen Patnaik, and union minister Dharmendra Pradhan expressed grief at the death of the noted writer.
“Pained by the passing away of noted writer Binapani Mohanty Ji. She made monumental contributions to Odia literature, especially fiction writing. Her works have been translated in various languages and attained great popularity. Condolences to her family and admirers,” said PM Modi in a tweet. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik expressed condolences on the death of legendary writer Mohanty and said, she could beautifully portray the struggle and success of women in her stories and novels.
“Her timeless writings will continue to inspire women empowerment. Her death marked the end of an era in Odia literature,” said Naveen in a tweet. He announced that her cremation will be held with state honours. Expressing deep condolences, Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan wrote in a tweet “She will always be remembered for her rich contribution to Odia literature. With her death Odisha lost a great litterateur. May her soul rest in peace.”
A popular writer, Mohanty has enriched Odia literature with her literary creations including several anthologies of poems, 34 short story collections and three novels. She started her literary career with the publication of her book ‘Gotie Ratira Kahani’ in 1960. She is well-known for her books ‘Pata dei’ and ‘Kasturi Mruga O Sabuja Aranya’. The Hindi adaptation of ‘Pata Dei’ was telecast as a popular serial ‘Kashmakash’ in Doordarshan.
Her other popular creations include ‘Khela ghara’, ‘Naiku Rasta’, ‘Bastraharana’, ‘Andhakarara Chhai’, ‘Michhi Michhika’. Her stories have been translated into various languages including English, Hindi, Kannad, Malayalam, Bengali, Marathi, Urdu, Telugu Hariyani and Nepali. A native of Chandol in Kendrapada district, Mohanty was born at Berhampur in 1936, she had completed her graduation, post-graduation and DLit in economics from Ravenshaw College.
Mohanty served as a professor in economics at various colleges across the state and retired from work in 1992. Mohanty has received Padma Shri award for arts and literature and Atibadi Jagannath Das award, the highest literary award of the state in 2020. Besides, she has received many awards like Sahitya Akademi Award and Sarala Samman. She also served as chairperson of Odisha Lekhika Sansad.
