Naveen Grieves Demise of Renowned Odia Litterateur JP Das

Bhubaneswar: BJD President and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik has expressed profound grief over the passing of eminent Odia litterateur, playwright, and former administrator Dr. Jagannath Prasad Das.

In a condolence message posted on his official X handle, Naveen stated: “I am saddened to learn about the passing of distinguished litterateur, administrator, and playwright Jagannath Prasad Das. His contributions to enriching Odia literature and the world of drama will always remain memorable. I pray for the eternal peace of his immortal soul and convey my condolences to the grieving family members.”

According to reports, Das passed away here on Wednesday night at the age of 90.

A rare multifaceted personality, Das excelled as a poet, playwright, painter, actor, novelist, and art historian. A towering figure in modern Odia literature since the 1960s, he authored several iconic poetry collections, including Prathama Purusha, Ahnika, and Parikrama. His works are known for seamlessly blending modernism, philosophy, and deep cultural introspection. His literary excellence earned him the prestigious Saraswati Samman in 2006 for Parikrama. Demonstrating his principled stand, he notably declined the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1990.