Book Launch of Ama Samayara Manisha 

7 December 2025
Odisha State Book Festival, Exhibition Ground, Bhubaneswar

Ama Samayara Manisha book released by the author Devdas Chhotray in presence of noted poet Kedar Mishra, noted author Rabindra K Swain and Jyotiranjan Swain managing trustee of Ketaki Foundation Trust

On the second day of the 7th Odisha State Book Festival 2025, the stall of Ketaki Foundation Trust attracted a large number of literary scholars, students, and book lovers, who enthusiastically browsed its diverse collection of publications. In the evening at 5 pm, the much-awaited book “Ama Samayara Manisha” by the celebrated author Devdas Chhotray was officially released.

The presence of eminent authors, Kedar Mishra and Rabindra Kumar Swain, senior journalist and accomplished film maker Kapilash Bhuyan, noted painter and printmaker Ramahari Jena, painter and writer Ramakant Samantray, noted designer and managing trustee of KFT Jyoti Ranjan Swain, admirers, students, amongst a large number of literature stalwarts, media representatives, and general reading public created a vibrant atmosphere. The event witnessed great enthusiasm, with many admirers being delighted to take home autographed copies of the book, Ama Samayara Manisha.

One of Chhotray’s finest works, this memoir explores the author’s personal memories and his association with some of the greatest Odia personalities of his time, offering insight into his contemporary world. One of the essays, the most personal one, is on the most cherished poet-singer Akshya Mohanty, which marks a significant aspect of his literary journey. The pages of Ama Samayara Manisha play out like a logbook of absorbing tales of his memories, vividly reminiscing the events of his life, his eloquent discourse intending to give a candid image of his father, the illustrious novelist and playwright Gopal Chhotray, his early life, and exposure and entry into the world of poetry. The expressive narration of his encounter with Biju Patnaik and other creative and political luminaries refreshes the social imagery of the seventies and eighties. Ama Samayara Manisha is a must read to comprehend the journey of one of the major Odia writers. With this book, Devdas Chhotray has scaled a new height in the field of Odia prose.

Discussing the book “Ama Samayara Manisha” with the author, noted poet and journalist Kedar Mishra, and the trustees of KFT.

Young writers and literature lovers while taking autographs from author Devdas Chhotray