Jayanta Mahapatra Memorial Lecture.3
22 October 2026
Gita Govinda Sadan, Bhubaneswar
The release of Chandrabhaga 22 by Dr. Udayan Vajpeyi, Prof. Himansu Mohapatra, Rabindra K. Swain and Jyoti Ranjan Swain.
The 3rd Jayanta Mahapatra Memorial Lecture, organised by Ketaki Foundation Trust on 22 October 2026 at Gita Govinda Sadan, Bhubaneswar, brought together writers, poets, scholars and literature enthusiasts to honour the life and enduring literary legacy of Padma Shri Jayanta Mahapatra.
The evening opened with Rachita Swain’s warm introduction to the Trust and its work in promoting literature, art and culture. Rabindra K. Swain, poet and Trustee of KFT, shared his opening remarks, reflecting on Mahapatra’s contribution to Indian English poetry and the lasting place his work holds in our literary imagination.
The memorial lecture, The Tale of Power and Poetry, was delivered by Dr. Udayan Vajpeyi, distinguished Hindi poet, essayist and writer. Exploring the relationship between poetry, truth and power, he spoke of how art awakens our sense of beauty and ethics, and offers a way of seeing beyond the structures that shape our lives. His reflections on Mahapatra’s distinctive voice brought Odisha’s landscape, sensibility and cultural memory into focus.
Prof. Himansu Mohapatra, eminent writer and translator and the Chief Guest, drew attention to a less-explored side of Mahapatra’s literary legacy, his prose, including short stories, essays and memoirs. The evening also returned to the poet’s verse through moving recitations by Mamata Das, Birendra Nayak, Gouri Sahoo, Jitu Pradhan, Namita Jagdev and Sanjogita Mishra, in Odia and English.
A particularly meaningful moment was the release of Chandrabhaga 22. Founded by Jayanta Mahapatra in 1979, the literary magazine continues its journey in his memory, with Ketaki Books, a sister organisation of KFT, undertaking its printing and publication. Senior visual artists Lipisree Nayak and Subhendu Mishra, whose paintings grace the cover designs, were felicitated for their artistic contributions.
As the evening drew to a close, we were left with a renewed appreciation of the poet and the many ways his words continue to speak to us. We are grateful to our guests, poets, artists, well-wishers and everyone who helped make this gathering a success. The programme was also streamed live on YouTube, allowing audiences beyond the auditorium to be part of the occasion.
Through this annual lecture, Ketaki Foundation Trust hopes to keep returning to the voices that enrich our literary and cultural lives and to ensure that Jayanta Mahapatra’s poetry continues to find new readers and listeners across generations.
Dr. Udayan Vajpeyi exploring the relationship between poetry, truth and power, and how poetry awakens our ethical sensibilities and resists standardisation. He also spoke of Jayanta Mahapatra’s unique ability to carry Odisha’s cultural landscape into English poetry.
Prof. Himansu Mohapatra drawing attention to a lesser-explored side of Jayanta Mahapatra’s literary world—his prose. Moving beyond the poet’s celebrated verse, he spoke about Mahapatra’s short stories, essays and memoirs, offering a broader perspective on his literary imagination and the many dimensions of his writing.
Poetess Mamata Das reciting Jayanta Mahapatra’s celebrated poem Hunger a haunting portrayal of poverty, exploitation and human desperation. Through the stark encounter between a fisherman and his daughter, Mahapatra confronts us with the devastating ways in which hunger can strip human life of dignity, leaving behind an unsettling moral silence.
Poetess Sanjogita Mishra reciting A Missing Person and Of That Love in both English and Hindi, exploring the intimate, often unspoken dimensions of womanhood and the human experience.
Poet Birendra Nayak reciting Jayanta Mahapatra’s one of aOdia poem titled “Jayanta Mahapatra”, a deeply moving, introspective piece in which the poet turns his gaze upon himself, leaving us with a rare and touching glimpse into his inner world.
Poet Jitu Pradhan reciting Rahila Kahn from Jayanta Mahapatra’s Odia poetry collection Bayarajara Kabita, a poignant reflection on the many remnants of life that stay with us, even as we move forward.
Poetess Gouri Sahoo reciting Jayanta Mahapatra’s introspective Odia poem “Banchibara Aparadha”, exploring the complexities of faith, childhood, unfulfilled desires and the quiet bitterness of life.
Poetess Namita Jagdev reciting one of Jayanta Mahapatra’s favourite poems, The Land That Is Not.
A group photograph with Dr. Udayan Vajpeyi, Prof. Himansu Mohapatra and Jyoti Ranjan Swain, Managing Trustee of Ketaki Foundation Trust, with the participating poets and poetesses.