Bikram Choudhury

Jagannath Prasad Das, born in 1936, is a distinguished Indian figure known for his prolific contributions across various literary and artistic domains, primarily in the Odia language. His career began with a brief stint in academia before he entered the Indian Administrative Service, holding significant positions in both state and central governments. After retiring early, he settled in Delhi, actively participating in the city's cultural and social life.

Das's literary output is extensive, encompassing poetry, short stories, plays, and novels. He has also demonstrated a remarkable talent for translation, rendering works from various languages into Odia and English, including the poetry of Odia women poets, French poet Catherine Clement, and Urdu poet Gulzar. His editing contributions include the first English anthology of Odia short stories and an anthology of poetry from different Indian languages. He has received numerous accolades and fellowships for his creative and research endeavors, including the Sahitya Akademi Award and the Saraswati Samman, though he notably declined the former.

Jagannath Prasad Das is a multifaceted Indian artist whose primary creative language is Odia. His extensive body of work includes poetry, short stories, plays, and novels. Beyond his original creations, Das has made significant contributions as a translator, bridging linguistic and cultural divides by translating works into both Odia and English. His translation efforts span diverse genres and origins, including poetry from French, Urdu, and Swedish, as well as medieval Odia texts and the works of contemporary Odia Dalit poets. He has also played a crucial role in anthologizing Odia literature for a wider audience, editing the first English translation of Odia short stories and compiling poetry from various Indian languages.

The significant contributions of J. P. Das to literature and art have been recognized through numerous prestigious awards and fellowships. He was honored with the Odisha Sahitya Akademi Award in 1975 and the Sarala Award in 1998. The Sahitya Akademi Award was bestowed upon him in 1990, though he chose not to accept it. Further recognition came with the Nandikar Playwright Award in 2000 and the Saraswati Samman in 2006. His dedication to research and creative writing has also been supported by fellowships, including a Homi Bhabha Fellowship for his research on Pata Paintings of Odisha, an Emeritus Fellowship from the Ministry of Culture, and a K. K. Birla Foundation Fellowship in Comparative Literature.

J. P. Das's bibliography is extensive, featuring numerous original works in Odia across genres such as poetry (e.g., 'Ahnika', 'Parikrama'), short stories (e.g., 'Bhavanatha O Anyamane', 'Priya Bidushaka'), plays (e.g., 'Saba Shesha Loka', 'Sundara Das'), and novels (e.g., 'Desha Kala Patra'). He has also authored children's literature and nonsense rhymes. His engagement with English includes research works on Odishan art forms like 'Puri Paintings' and 'Palm-leaf Miniatures', as well as edited volumes. A notable aspect of his career is the translation of his own works and others' into English, such as 'First Person', 'Love is a Season', and 'The Pukka Sahib', showcasing his ability to connect with a global readership.