The Odisha Sahitya Academy (OSA) in collaboration with the Jeypore Sahitya Parishad and the District Council of Culture observed the 156th birthday of Rajashree Vikramdev Verma, yesteryear king of the Jeypore Estate, at the Pratap Narayan Singh Deo auditorium here.
Noted litterateur Babajee Patnaik inaugurated the programme and spoke on the great deeds and contribution made by the king in development of literature and formation of Odisha during 1936.
Eminent writer Suresh Das presided over the function where in OSA member Pritidhara Samal and secretary Bijay Nayak attended as guests. Two eminent writers of the locality, Srinath Mishra and Bhaskar Samanthray, were felicitated with the Vikram Samman on the occasion. Two books written by journalist Ajay Sahoo and Paresh Rath were also released.
While Jeypore Sahity Parishad secretary Naba Kishore Rath coordinated the whole programme, Harihara Karasadha Patnaik delivered vote of thanks. A Kabita Pathotsav was held in the second session. Prof Narayana Panda, Chakrapani Paricha, laxmikant Padhy and Raghunath Mishra graced the occasion as guests. As many as 40 poets recited their poems.