Bhubaneswar, Aug 20: Sambalpuri playwright, poet, and lyricist Binod Kumar Pasayat, a towering figure in western Odisha’s cultural landscape, passed away at the age of 89 on Wednesday morning. He breathed his last at his residence near Sen Park in Sambalpur after prolonged age-related ailments.

Born on December 3, 1935, in Kusmel village of Balangir district, Pasayat came from a modest background and worked as a barber by profession. Despite limited resources, he dedicated his life to the enrichment of Sambalpuri literature, folk songs, and drama. His writings, celebrated for their simplicity and close reflection of rural life, struck a deep chord with the people of western Odisha.

Pasayat’s acclaimed play ‘Mui Nai Mare’ (I Will Never Die) and his numerous Sambalpuri folk compositions have become timeless cultural treasures. Over the decades, his relentless contribution earned him several honours, including the Padma Shri in 2024, Sarala Puraskar (2008), Odisha Sahitya Akademi Puraskar (2010), and Sarada Prasanna Samman (2019).

Pasayat’s demise leaves a profound void in Odisha’s literary and cultural heritage. His works will continue to inspire future generations and keep Sambalpuri tradition alive.

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