Argus News - Breaking News: Odia Poet Girija Kumar Baliarsingh Wins Sahitya Akademi Award 2025 for ‘Padapurana’

Bhubaneswar, Mar 16: Renowned Odia poet Girija Kumar Baliarsingh has been honoured with the Sahitya Akademi Award 2025 for his celebrated poetry collection ‘Padapurana’, a landmark achievement in contemporary Odia literature.

The Sahitya Akademi jury unanimously selected ‘Padapurana’ for its lyrical richness, cultural depth, and masterful poetic expression.

First published in 2020, the collection delves into Odisha’s spiritual and social ethos, weaving together traditional imagery with modern reflections.

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The jury for the Odia category - comprising Gayatri Saraf, Dr. Jayanti Rath, and Shyama Prasad Choudhury - praised the work for its ability to elevate regional voices to national prominence.

The awards were announced in different categories - poetry, novel, short stories, essays, literary criticism, autobiography and memoir.

‘Padapurana’ stood out for its evocative verse and thematic resonance. The award not only recognizes Baliarsingh’s literary artistry but also affirms his role in enriching Odia literature and connecting deeply with readers.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan expressed his delight and congratulated the Odia poet in a post on his ‘X’ handle. “Congratulations to distinguished poet Girija Kumar Baliarsingh, who has been selected by the Central Sahitya Akademi for the 2025 Award for his poetry collection Padapurana,” wrote the Union Minister.

“Our state is proud to have such a talented creator. This achievement and creative excellence will inspire the next generation of young writers and poets,” Pradhan wrote further.

Notably, the Sahitya Akademi announced its annual awards for 2025 on Monday across 24 recognised languages, nearly three months after the process was unexpectedly halted following directives from the Union Ministry of Culture.

“Sahitya Akademi is happy to announce today its annual Sahitya Akademi Awards in 24 Indian languages recognised by it. 8 books of poetry, 4 novels, 6 books of short stories, 2 essays, 1 literary criticism, 1 autobiography and 2 memoirs have won the Sahitya Akademi Awards 2025,” the Akademi said in a statement.

The awards, recommended by distinguished jury members, were approved by the Competent Authority of the Sahitya Akademi, the statement said.

The awardees will be honoured at a ceremony on March 31, where they will receive a casket containing an engraved copper plaque, a shawl, and a cash prize of ₹1 lakh.

This announcement comes nearly three months after the Sahitya Akademi, on December 18, 2025, abruptly cancelled its scheduled press conference following a last-minute directive from the Union Ministry of Culture, which had called for a “restructuring” of the awards.