Dr Ranjita Kumari Nayak : Illuminating Indian Literature
Prof. Dr Ranjita Kumari Nayak is a M.A., M.Phil, Ph.D. and D.Litt in Odia language and literature. Ranjita is a distinguished Odia poet of national acclaim, celebrated for her profound contributions to Indian literature. With eleven acclaimed anthologies of poetry in Odia to her name, her work transcends linguistic boundaries—translated into several Indian languages like Hindi, Kannada, Punjabi, Gujarati, Dogri, Bengali, Marathi, Assamese, Telugu etc. including four books in English – Blue Bird and Other Poems, Yashodhara’s Buddha, Discovery and Other Poems and Slice of Silence. Her poems are known for their emotional depth, lyrical beauty, and exploration of universal human experiences. In addition she has around ten highly acclaimed pieces of literary work in criticism and essays to her credit.
A recipient of nearly 40 prestigious awards, including the Odisha Sahitya Akademi Award in the year 1997, Vishub Jhankara Kabita Puraskar, Sarala Devi Samman, Kuntala Kumari Sabat Award, Sachi Routray Poetry Award and Gangadhar Meher Poetry Award, Dr. Nayak is revered both in academic and literary circles. Her poetry is widely taught in schools and universities across India. Notably, English translations of her works. Blue Bird and Other Poems and Yashodhara’s Buddha—are part of the postgraduate curriculum at Mumbai University. Poem Circus was featured in the Standard XI English textbook of the Maharashtra State Board for a long period of time.
Her Poetic Universe
Her poetic universe is vast and layered, capturing the essence of human emotions, nature, and life’s subtleties. Each poem emerges from a keen observation of the world and reflects themes such as peace, love, loss, beauty, resilience, and harmony. Her writing invites readers to pause, reflect, and discover meaning in the interplay of word and emotion.
Dr. Nayak has also made significant contributions as a translator of poetry, rendering the works of celebrated poets like Ashok Vajpayee, Kedarnath Singh, Ganga Prasad Bimal, Nabanita Dev Sen, and K. Satchidanandan into Odia.
An academic of great repute. She taught Odia language and literature in premier institutions such as Ravenshaw University. Rama Devi Women’s University, and Shailabala Women’s Autonomous College. She has been a research guide to several students on topics spanning different type of literary works and litterateurs. She retired as a Professor and Head, Department of Odia, Language and Literature from Rama Devi Women’s University in 2013 and continues to reside in Cuttack, Odisha, surrounded by the warmth of her family.
Dr. Nayak remains an active voice in India’s literary scene. She is a regular participant in poetry and literary programs broadcast by All India Radio, Doordarshan, and other TV channels.