Today is the birthday of smt prativa Ray, an Indian academic writer of Orissa state,and first Odia woman receive India’s highest literary award “Padma Bhushan”

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Today is the birthday of smt prativa Ray

Pratibha Ray is an Indian academic and writer. She was born on 21 January 1943, at Alabol, a remote village in the Balikuda area of Jagatsinghpurdistrict formerly part of Cuttack district of Orissa state. She is an eminent fiction writer in contemporary India
celebrated Indian academic and Odia-language writer known for her impactful novels and stories exploring social issues, women’s empowerment, and humanism, earning her India’s highest literary honors like the Jnanpith Award and Padma Bhushan for works such as Yajnaseni and Ullanghan, reflecting influences from her Gandhian father and Vaishnavite upbringing.
Early Life & Influences
Born in Alabol, Jagatsinghpur district, Odisha, to Parashuram Das, a Gandhian teacher, and Manorama Devi, she began writing at age nine.
Her father’s ideals of equality and justice, alongside her Vaishnavite family’s emphasis on love and peace, profoundly shaped her humanistic writing.
Career
An academic by profession, she taught in colleges and served as a Professor of Education.
She also served as a member of the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC).
She voluntarily retired from government service in 1998 to focus on writing and research.
Literary Works & Themes
Writes novels, short stories, travelogues, and essays primarily in Odia, with many translated into other languages.
Known for exploring themes of gender, caste, social reform, and the quest for equality, often challenging societal norms.
Key works include:
Barsha Basanta Baishakha (1974) – A bestseller.
Yajnaseni (1990) – A feminist retelling of the Mahabharata from Draupadi’s perspective, earning her the Moortidevi Award.
Ullanghan – Short story collection.
Awards & Recognition
Jnanpith Award (2011) – First Odia woman to receive India’s highest literary award.
Padma Bhushan (2022) – For contributions to literature and education.
Padma Shri (2007).
Sahitya Akademi Award.
Moortidevi Award (1991).
Legacy
A leading voice in contemporary Indian literature, advocating for a society based on equality, peace, and integration, making her a significant humanist and feminist figure.