Kalahandi, YNN (Lingaraj Mishra): Eminent Odia poet Sudhir Meher has been selected for the esteemed ‘Devgiri Sahitya Samman’ for 2024, as announced by the Devgiri Sanskrutik Anusthan, a renowned cultural organisation based in Budhipadar under Narla block of Kalahandi district. Meher, who hails from Chicheguda village in the Junagarh block, is a veteran poet known for his profound expression of human emotions and philosophical insights in his poetry.
Meher’s notable works include poetry collections such as Michha Udaana, Mati Moha, Nirbak Ishwar, and Jeevan Bainshira Sura. Over the years, he has earned several prestigious awards, including the Odisha Government’s Rajya Galpa Samman and the Vikash Bharati Award by Barnamala. In addition to his literary achievements, Meher serves as a science teacher at the Government High School in Chicheguda.
Acclaimed dramatist and dance teacher Bhimsen Sahu will be conferred with the ‘Devgiri Natya Samman’. A retired Physical Education Teacher (PET), Sahu has made remarkable contributions as a playwright, actor, and director, having participated in over 75 stage plays, telefilms, and radio plays. His influence as a dance director has led many of his students to achieve success at both state and national levels in the performing arts.
Sahu has previously been honoured with the Kalahandi Barputra Samman, the Paschim Odisha Sanskruti Samman by Sambalpur University, and the prestigious Vayoshreshtha Samman from the union Department of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Two other stalwarts, satirist Susanta Mishra and poet Madhusudan Rout, will be awarded the Devgiri Kala Samman for their exceptional contributions to the cultural landscape.
Susanta Mishra, a livestock inspector from Madanpur Rampur, is known for his satirical poetry, which he performs across various platforms in Odisha and beyond, eliciting laughter from his audiences.
Madhusudan Rout, a retired teacher from Tulagaon, is celebrated for his skill in spontaneous poetry, particularly in the Navakshari Brutta. Known as a Bhagwatia poet, Rout is also a passionate literary and cultural organiser, deeply rooted in local traditions.
All the recipients will be honoured during the 32nd annual function of the Devgiri Sanskrutik Anusthan, coinciding with the state-level Kumarswami Mahotsav, to be held from 13 to 15 November at Gosinga Daitya Darbar. The organisation’s president, Sanjay Dhangadamajhi, and general secretary, Sunil Kumar Dhangadamajhi, confirmed that more honourees will be announced in the coming days.
