Oriya stories

by Fakir Mohan Senapati, Gopinath Mohanty, Kishori Charan Das

English (translation)

217 pages, Paperback

First published January 2, 2002

About the author

Fakir Mohan Senapati (Odia: ଫକୀର ମୋହନ ସେନାପତି), often referred to as Utkala Byasa Kabi (Odisha's Vyasa), was an Indian writer, poet, philosopher and social reformer. He played a leading role in establishing the distinct identity of Odia, a language mainly spoken in the Indian state of Odisha. Fakirmohan Senapati is regarded as the father of Odia nationalism and modern Odia literature.
(courtesy: wiki)

Reviews

[Anbukarasan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Subtle stories narrated at two or more layers. The lives of the characters on the one. The social or cultural aspects on the other. All stories have a certain unique element and are classic.

[Manoj Unnikrishnan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a collection of twelve Oriya short stories written by four celebrated authors in the language: Fakir Mohan Senapati, Gopinath Mohanty, Kishori Charan Das, and Manoj Das. Their contributions have significantly shaped Oriya literature. The anthology, selected and edited by Vidya Das, gives us a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Oriya literature. It showcases the evolution of the Oriya short story over a century, featuring stories with diverse writing styles and themes from the early period to the modern era.

The content includes the following:

1. Rebati
2. Ananta, the widow's Son (Randi Pua Ananta)
3. Patent Medicine

These three stories are written by Fakir Mohan Senapati, who is considered the father of the Oriya novel and short story. I had previously read Rebati and Ananta, the Widow's Son from The Greatest Odia Stories Ever Told, and these are two of my favorites.

4. Ants (Pimpudi)
5. The Garden (Bagicha)
6. Tadpa

These are the works of Gopinath Mohanty, a prominent figure in modern Oriya fiction. His stories explore the lives of tribal communities, delving into themes of nature, human relationships, and societal changes.

7. Sarama's Romance (Saramara Romance)
8. Godless (Bidharmi)
9. The Hundred Sons (Sahe Pua)

These stories are from Kishori Charan Das, known for his psychological realism. His stories delve into the depths of the human mind, exploring complex emotions and inner conflicts.

10. The Bull of Babulpur (Babulpurara Sandha)
11. Farewell to a Ghost (Bhutuni: Eka Bidaya)
12. The Submerged Valley (Magna Upatyaka)

These stories are by Manoj Das and explore spirituality, mysticism, and social issues with a philosophical undertone.

Some of the stories are translated by the authors themselves, and others by Jayanta Mahapatra, Sitakant Mahapatra, and Sumanyu Satpathy. All the stories are equally good. This book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in Oriya literature, offering a diverse and engaging introduction to the world of Oriya short stories.

[Sundarraj Kaushik · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a collection of short stories by Oriya writers. Most of the stories have a pathos to it. The simple lifestyle of the Oriya denizens is wonderfully depicted by the authors whose stories have been translated here.

While poverty is depicted one cannot say that it has been exploited for marketing the stories or to add saleability to the book.

The story is steeped in the Oriya traditions and highlights the simplicity of the folks living in this state. Even today one shouldn't be surprised if one found such citizens in the state.

A worth read.