Sundaragada: Veteran Odia writer Giri Dandasena died at a private nursing home in Burla Monday while undergoing treatment for an illness. He was 75. Dandasena had been undergoing treatment for the past few days due to health complications, family members said.
A noted figure in Odia literature, Dandasena served as vice-president of the Odisha Sahitya Akademi from May 18, 2011, to February 8, 2015. He was also nominated twice as the Sundaragada district representative of the Odisha Sahitya Akademi.
His published works included the short-story collections Kalasutra, Bhumigarbha, Rasta Kadare Jibana and Anarya Dasa. He also authored the historical book Sundaragada Itihas. His distinctive writing style earned his works significant appreciation among readers.
After his body was brought to his residence at Dengibadi in Sundaragada, writers, literary figures and other dignitaries visited the house to pay their last respects and offer condolences to the bereaved family. His last rites were performed at Swargadwar on the banks of the Ib River in Sundaragada.