Noted Odia writer Nilamani dies at 90

Bhubaneswar: Eminent Odia litterateur Mohapatra Nilamani Sahoo passed away at a hospital here on Saturday. He was 90 and suffering from old-age-related ailments.
Condoling his death, chief minister Naveen Patnaik said, "He was one of the most prominent story writers in post-independence Odia literature. His compilation of short stories 'Abhisapta Gandharba' is a significant work in the history of short stories.His contribution has enriched Odia language and literature. With his death, Odisha lost a great litterateur. Sahoo has written hundreds of short stories and was popular among readers of all age groups. He has authored more than 100 books including two novels, over two dozen short-story collections, books of essays and non-fiction. He has also translated several books and written books for children. He also served as editor of many popular magazines including Jhankara, Utkal Prasanga, Odisha Review, Bibekananda Bani o Rachana and so on.
Sahoo bagged Odisha Sahitya Akademi Award for his book Akasha Patala in 1981, Sarala Purashkar for Abhisapta Gandharba in 1983 and Cenral Sahitya Akademi Award for the same book in 1984.
Some of his popular books are Prema Tribhuja , Michha Bagha Ganjei o Gabesana , Ranu apa tharu pushi parjyanta , Anya rupa rupantara , Kapota pakhi guru mora , Sumitra ra hasa , Papa o mukti , Sekala Pakhala , Tamasi Radha , Udhaba Kete tu pacharu , Chanakya Niti Ratnamala and so on.
Eminent academicians, writers, politicians and prominent personalities have mourned the death of Sahoo and reached his residence at Sahid Nagar to pay their last tribute.
Born in 1926 at Niali village in Cuttack district, Sahoo started his career as a lecturer in Odia language and served in different colleges across the state. He leaves behind his wife, one son, one daughter and two daughter-in-laws. His last rites will be carried out at his native village on Sunday.