Leading a life of your own choice or navigating things whichever ways you want is something that hardly comes into reality. Life shapes and moulds us on its own. Sometimes the dreams are swept away like the cobwebs, bringing in immeasurable hardships in life. 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.
Dr. Biraja Routray is such a person who has witnessed death from a close quarter and has suffered the excruciating pain in 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. Routray is a name to reckon with. By dint of his inordinate passion, creative brilliance, social commitment and exceptional insight 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.
Dr. Routray was born on 20th June, 1973 into an educated and progressive family of Kendrapara. His father, Late Sri Sridhar Rout, the then OFS officer played a significant role in whetting his appetite for art and literature. Exposure to various literary magazines and writing catapulted his propensity towards literature at an early age. While savouring those old memories, he says, “It still fills me with a deeper sense of nostalgia when I recollect those jubilant childhood years.”
Coming to his lofty academic credentials, after completing his post-graduation from Utkal University, he cracked JRF and earned his PhD in Odia literature from the same university.
What brought a flurry of excitement and happiness for him and his family was his success in Odisha Public Service Examination. He joined as an OAS officer in 1999 with countless dreams and tied the knot with Banasmita Nayak, a bride embodying all the virtues.
He had barely completed six months of his marriage when life dealt him with a cruel hand in form of a fatal road accident in 2006 that left him quadriplegic and confined him to wheelchair. Life took a dramatic turn with this accident.
Narrating the devastating accident and subsequent health issues, he says, “Recovering from such a critical medical condition was no less than a miracle.”
He owes a sense of indebtedness to his wife, Banasmita Nayak for her unflinching support, undivided attention and congenial company. The role of his elder brother, Sri Aurobinda Routray is also no less striking in materializing his dreams into reality. His physical disability has taken a toll over him for sure but it has not dwindled his creative flair and commitment to art, literature and society in any way.
His accomplishments when it comes to literature are absolutely incredible. Reflecting on his literary oeuvre, Dr. Routray has authored 5 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 poetry being replete with concrete images and rhetorical language speaks of love, beauty and many more things which resonate beyond art and literature.
In addition, he has several collections of short stories to his credit 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). Some of his literary works have been translated into Bengali and Assamese.
Instead of being monochromatic in approach, his writings traverse through myriads of subject matters or themes exhibiting his profundity, inventiveness, craftsmanship and deeper insights. Every piece of writing takes readers under its sway with its riveting theme and linguistic dexterity. Being a distinct voice in Odia literature he has carved out a distinguishing place for himself by the virtue of his unique narrative technique and novelty.
In addition to this, he has been widely acclaimed as an editor of various reputed magazines and journals. His quest for innovation has been reflected in the publication of certain earlier magazines at Kendrapara. He is still credited for publishing the first-ever hand-written Odia magazine from Kendrapara. Some scholarly magazines like Kendrapara Parikrama, Punarbasa Samachar, Ranga Mancha etc. bear an eloquent testimony to the creativity and erudition of Dr. Biraja Routray.
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 which include 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, Sri Subrat Rath Smaraki Puraskar by Sri Gangadhara Rath Foundation among others.
Apart from this, adding feather to his cap, he represented Odisha in All India Differently Abled Writers’ Meet-2023 organized by Kendriya Sahitya Akademi.
As a disability rights activist, he has been instrumental in bringing about certain changes in the lives of disabled people by his untiring advocacy for inclusion and accessibility. PUNARBASA, a life-saving organization in Kendrapara has set a pattern for others. Being the Chief Advisor of this organization, his relentless efforts towards the upliftment of disabled people have earned him much of appreciation and honour all across the state.
As an acknowledgement to his ceaseless initiatives towards the welfare of the disabled community, he has won Anjali Award for Service in 2011 on the eve of 11th Anjali National Children’s Festival and Samajsevi Sanman under the aegis of Bhagabat Prasad Mohanty Memorial, Kendrapara.
Kendrapara, his hometown often constitutes the core of his existence. Being a son of the soil, he pulls out all the stops while fulfilling his duties and obligations towards Kendrapara. He has been the cynosure of all the eyes by organising Kendrapara Book Fair, Kendrapara Literature Festival, State Level Natya Utsav so on and so forth.
The organizations like Kendrapara Event Managers (KEM), Symphony and PUNARBASA have already set new benchmarks in their respective domains under the guidance and supervision of Dr. Biraja Routray.
It feels as if he carries a definite magnetism that allures everyone in no time. His arresting personality exudes grace, charm and a different sense of bonhomie. With an amiable nature and buoyant disposition he casts spell on the people around him.
As a part of his obligation to his own district, he fosters the young and emerging talents and thereby adds to the enrichment of indigenous culture and tradition. His steadfast commitment and impeccable willpower have overpowered all the rigmarole and misfortunes of life.
The trajectory of his life has undoubtedly been infested with various trials and tribulations but he has bounced back to his strength and shattered all the shackles with the might of a formidable warrior.
The appellation, “Biraja, an Invincible Warrior” is befitting one for such a person.
(Dr. Binayak Prasad Pradhan, Kendrapara; Mob: 9348067224)
