Bhubaneswar: The first Vagdevi Literary fest was inaugurated here Saturday. Minister of Finance, Exercise and Public Enterprise Sashi Bhusan Behera inaugurated the two-day event at the Railway Sadan Auditorium.
Artistes, writers, academicians and poets from across the country are participating in the event.
Addressing the function Behera said, “Writers can make Oriya literature stand in the global literature platform. Every Oriya writer should put more of their soul into writing timeless classics that can keep the flag of Oriya language and its literature flying high”.
Inaugural ceremony of the event was followed by a poetry recitation session by eminent poets Suresh Nayak, Surya Mishra, Kamal Kumar Mohanty, Prabasini Mahakud, Rakshak Nayak, Senapati Praduymnakeshari.
Eminent poet Jayanta Mohapatra was honoured with prestigious “Vagdevi literature award”. The award carries a plaque, a memento, besides Rs 25,000.
Receiving the award Mohapatra said, “I am extremely grateful to the jury members and to my readers. My achievements are nothing but reflection of my love for Oriya language and poetry.”
Veteran Tablist Harmohan Khuntia was also feted with Srijan Sanmann for his lifelong contribution in the field of music.
Three books were also released on the occasion, ‘Akhara’, a souvinior of Vagdevi Lit fest Trust and diabetic recipes by Mamta Tripathy.
The event also had panel discussions on topics like ‘Women through ages’ , ‘Tribal folklores’ and ‘Translation-Oppurtunities and challenges’. The fest also hosted a painting exhibition by artist Nandita Mishra.
Actor Kuna Tripathy, Manoranjan Panigrahi, commisioner of cultural department, Pradeep Biswal, Alok Kanungo was also present on the occasion.
Subhendu Mohanty compared the inaugural session, while director of the fest Mamta Tripathy proposed the vote of thanks. (PNN)
