Bibhuti Patnaik, One of Odisha’s most popular writers, has been selected for the prestigious Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award this year. He will get it at the age of 78 years. Ironically though, the writers who were influenced by his writings and inspired to write have been awarded much earlier. Yet, the writer has no complaint for getting the award late. The celebrated novelist and columnist has more than 150 books to his credit. He would receive the award for his short story collection Mahishashura ra Muhan. The book talks about a common man’s protest against the establishment and unsympathetic attitude of the Government. Patnaik, who has written over 50 novels, had received the Odisha Sahitya Akademi Award in 1985 for his novel Aswamedhara Ghoda. Some of his popular works are Badhu Nirupama, Premika, Sesha Basanta, Abhimana, Trutiya Purusha, Prathama Sakala and Sesha Ratira Surya, etc. Patnaik will be felicitated at a function to be held on February 16 at New Delhi. He spoke to Sefali Suman on his literary career.
Readers appreciate your writings and adore you. Many awardees were inspired by your writings. You are getting this award much later than they got. What is your reaction to itIJ
Writer JP Das called me yesterday and said that Sahitya Akademi took 40 years to recognise you. But, I think it is not a big issue, because, Barrister Govind Das didn’t get any award. Even novel like ‘Amada Bata’ also did not get any distinguished award. I regret that Govind Babu didn’t get any award. His novel ‘Amabasya ra Chandra’ is worth awarding. Deserving write-ups and writers are not always getting recognition and awards. In my opinion, a writer should not give importance to awards. Hankering for awards degrades the quality of writings.
Writers are returning their awards against ‘intolerance’. Now you are going to accept the award. Are you accepting the ‘intolerance’ or you believe that there is no intoleranceIJ
Writers should not be so emotional. For writers’ safety both Central Government and the State Government should be responsible, not the Sahitya Akademi.
I am not in favour of returning awards. I think one should not give importance to ‘award wapsi’ now. We can protest against intolerance in other ways. The talented writers should keep their awards. As for me, I would not like to return the Akademi award.
Some films have been based on your stories. When you watch those movies, do you feel that the thought of your stories get exactly reflected in the filmsIJ
No, most of time, it is found that serious books lose originality when made films. To some extent, art movie can render the originality. But it is not possible in a commercial movie. My novel Badhu Nirupama was successful, but the movie based on it was a flop. The name of my novel Dhuli Ghara also was changed in the movie that was made on its theme and instead a Jatra style name was You have written many books. Which book you like the most and which book was appreciated by the readersIJ
All the stories are near about equal for me. Still I like Chapala Chhanda and readers like the Badhu Nirupama the most.
How was your feeling the moment you had seen your first story come out in printed formIJ
I was very happy seeing my first story in printed form. I was able to complete one story at a night. But, now I am writing less than before. I cannot write more than two pages now in a day. I have to correct my write-up repeatedly.
Your message for the new generation writers
Writers should not run after awards. Otherwise, originality of write-ups would be lost. The covetous prize money of the awards should not be the be-all and end-all for a writer. We expect the young writers to write good novels but I am not getting any good novel these days.
What is your next workIJ
I am working on my autobiography and a short story collection, which would be released in January next year.