After the Deluge

Pratibha Ray was born in a remote village, Alabol of Odisha state, India in 1944. She studied in the oldest and most prestigious Ravenshaw College, now a University in Odisha. Later she worked as a Professor in the same college and was awarded the ‘Gem of Ravanshaw” by the University. After a long and rewarding teaching career, she was elevated to the constitutional post of member, Odisha Public Service Commission. Her doctoral research was on “Intellectual Achievement and Responsibility of slum children” and Post Doctoral research on the Criminal propensity of the most primitive Bonda Tribe of Odisha .Subsequently, she has written a voluminous novel ‘Aadibhumi’, based on the Bonda tribe, translated into English as ‘Primal land'(Orient Black Swan). As a writer she has always been drawn to themes of the oppressed and down trodden people of the society. She is the author of 22 novels and 26 story collections, 10 travelogues, poetry collections, essay collections and an autobiography. The most acclaimed fictional work of the author was ‘Yajnaseni’ for which she received Bhartiya Jnanpith Trust’s Moorti Devi award in 1991. She is the first and only woman writer till date to receive this coveted award. This novel has gone into its 106th edition which is unique in Odisha and rare in India. Apart from various National awards, she is the winner of prestigious national awards like Sahitya Akademi. She is the winner of the coveted Bharatiya Jnanpith 2011, the highest award of India for literature. She is a household name in Odisha and most parts of India due to her translated works. Her creations revolve around various subjects such as racial constraints, mythology, history, social issues and the perennial struggle against violence and terrorism. “LOVE AND LET LIVE” is her motto.”GIVE ME YOUR HEART, I WILL GIVE YOU GOD” is her mantra.”Basudheiva Kutumbakam” is her philosophy. “My country is my paradise” is the voice of her soul.

Prafulla Kumar Mohanty is a celebrated literary critic, creative writer and bilingual poet. He is the recipient of Central Sahitya Academy Award for literature and has translated into English the stories of Odia Sarala Mahabharata, the first regional epic of India. He has also translated many Odia books into English. Formerly professor in English and the Principal of Ravenshaw College, he now lives in Bhubaneswar.

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