Sarala Puraskar 2026 will be awarded to Odia poet, essayist and former scientist Dr. Ashutosh Parida for his poetry collection Bishwas De Pruthwi. He has been selected for the 47th edition of the prestigious Odisha literary award. The award ceremony will be held in Bhubaneswar on 25 October 2026.

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

The honour recognises Parida’s contribution to Odia literature through his poetry. Along with his literary work, he has also had a scientific career and previously worked as a scientist at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR-IMMT).

Sarala Puraskar Recognises Odia Literature

The Sarala Puraskar is an important literary award associated with Odisha. It is presented by the Indian Metals Public Charitable Trust (IMPaCT), the charitable arm of Indian Metals & Ferro Alloys Limited (IMFA). The award is given to recognise outstanding contributions to Odia literature.

For the 2026 award, Dr. Parida was selected for his poetry collection Bishwas De Pruthwi. The book was published by Prabha Publication in 2024.

The award carries a cash prize of ₹7 lakh, along with a citation and a copper plaque. The combination of financial support and public recognition makes the award an important platform for writers working in Odia literature.

Ashutosh Parida’s Literary and Scientific Background

Dr. Ashutosh Parida has worked in both science and literature. His background as a scientist and his work as a poet and essayist reflect an unusual combination of scientific and creative interests.

His selection for the award highlights the continuing importance of poetry and literary writing in Odisha’s cultural landscape. Bishwas De Pruthwi was chosen from a final shortlist of seven books considered during the 2026 selection process.

The shortlist included works by writers such as Aparna Mohanty, Padmaja Pal and Archana Nayak, along with other shortlisted authors. The final decision was made by a jury consisting of prominent figures from Odisha’s literary and cultural circles.

Award Ceremony in Bhubaneswar

The award ceremony is scheduled for 25 October 2026 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Both the Sarala Puraskar and the Ila-Bansidhar Panda Kala Samman will be presented during the event.

The ceremony will bring together writers, artists, cultural personalities and other guests to recognise achievements in literature and the arts.

The 47th edition of the award also reflects the continuing effort to support Odia-language literature and give wider recognition to writers whose works contribute to the state’s cultural identity.

Jury for the 47th Sarala Puraskar

The final jury included several academics, writers and literary personalities. The members were Dr. Sucheta Mishra, Dr. Hrushikesh Mallick, Sangram Jena, Swapna Mishra, Prof. Dr. Natabar Satapathy, Dr. Sarojini Sahoo and Ajay Kumar Mohapatra.

The jury reviewed the shortlisted books before selecting Bishwas De Pruthwi for the 2026 honour. The selection process focused on literary merit and the contribution of the work to Odia literature.

Ila-Bansidhar Panda Kala Samman 2026

Alongside the literary award, IMPaCT has also announced the 2026 Ila-Bansidhar Panda Kala Samman for lifetime excellence in the arts.

Two artists have been selected for the honour: Guru Durga Charan Ranbir, an Odissi maestro, and Damodar Behera, a sculptor. Each recipient will receive a citation, copper plaque and ₹2.5 lakh in prize money.

The recognition of both an Odissi exponent and a sculptor highlights the wide range of artistic traditions supported through the award programme.

Focus on Odisha’s Literary and Cultural Heritage

The Sarala Puraskar has become closely associated with the promotion of Odia literature and the recognition of writers who contribute to the language through poetry, fiction, essays and other forms of writing.

Ashutosh Parida’s selection for the 47th edition brings together literature, science and cultural recognition. His poetry collection Bishwas De Pruthwi will now receive national attention through one of Odisha’s well-known literary honours, while the simultaneous recognition of artists under the Ila-Bansidhar Panda Kala Samman will celebrate the state’s broader artistic traditions.

The awards ceremony on 25 October 2026 in Bhubaneswar will formally recognise the selected writers and artists and provide a platform for celebrating Odisha’s continuing literary and cultural contributions.