Selected Poems of Biraja Routray

At times, life with all its uncertainties leaves us startled. Everything shatters in a jiffy, shaking the entire existence of human beings. The long cherished dreams are swept away like the cobwebs, bringing in a pall of gloom. Some of us give in or succumb to such uneven and unbecoming things and end up groaning under the weight of dejection. Only a few of us endure the misfortunes with a rare sense of endurance and resilience and undertake the path fraught with challenges and hardships. Dr. Biraja Routray is such a person who has undoubtedly undergone the toughest phase of his life but nothing has dampened his fighting spirit, mental agility and matchless creativity. Instead of being down in the dumps, he has emerged victorious by forging indomitable fortitude in the face of adversity. Dr. Biraja Routray is a name to reckon with. By dint of his inordinate passion, creative brilliance, social commitment and exceptional insights into human life, he has been ruling the hearts of legions of people all across the state. Be it administration, literature or social activism – he has left an indelible imprint on almost all the domains. Being a former Administrative Officer (OAS), writer and social activist, he has navigated the complex tapestry of life with elan and ease. His accomplishments when it comes to literature are absolutely incredible. His impressive literary oeuvre includes eight short story collections including Gahali Arapate (2007), Bahu Bachan (2010), Pratipakshyara Hasa (2001), Bisama Bahu (2013), Purna O Shunya (2016), Taravarti Akasha (2028), Nua Gapa Ra EMI (2024) and Sabu Modare Jibana (A Short Story Collection based on Disability), a recently published novel, Olatpur (2025) andfive books of poems in Odia. His poetry volumes include Kemiti Vijaye Barsha (2004), Atma Darshan (2007), Sandhikala (2011), Abhishek Hrudayara (2015) and Nua Janha Uinchhi (2024). His literary endeavours have tasted incredible success and won him multiple accolades. In recognition of his literary contribution, he has been conferred with numerous illustrious and coveted awards like Katha Naba Pratibha Puraskar, Kanhei Katha Puraskar, Utkal Sahitya Samaja Yuva Purskar, Rabi Patnaik Smruti Galpa Purskar, Bhubaneswar Pustak Mela Puraskar. Jagdish Yuva Sanman, Gokarnika Galpa Sanman and Sri Subrat Rath Smaraki Puraskar by Sri Gangadhara Rath. Apart from this, adding feather to his cap, he represented Odisha in All India Differently Abled Writers’ Meet-2023 organized by Kendriya Sahitya Akademi. Translating a writer like Biraja Routray is a tough job. His metaphors are unusual, multi layered and rich in association which renders them extremely difficult to translate. However, we have tried our best to retain the originality, intent, essence and lyricism of the poems during the transit from the source to the target language. Even though it is quite natural that while moving from source to target, certain things tend to fall through the cracks, we have made sincere efforts to make these poems sound and feel as natural and genuine as possible.