Odia Books

Udayanath Sarangi was born in 1905 in a poor family at village Sippi in Cuttack district. A seasoned journalist and literary figure, he contributed to different genres of Odia literature, his most remarkable achievements being in the field of translation and children’s literature. He associated himself with the non-cooperation movement right from his student career in his village school.

Since then he had been considerably impressed by the ideals of Gandhiji. He completed his school education under the guidance of eminent teachers like Pandit Gopabandhu Das and Pandit Nilakantha Das. He went to jail for some time when he was the chief editor of the Samaja during the Quit India movement of 1942

Well versed in English, Odia, Hindi and Bengali, he did pioneering work in the field of translation by his much acclaimed rendering of the world famous novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin into Odia. He is also known for his short stories which embody deep concern and sympathy for the common man. He has the unique style of writing in the spoken language of common Village folk.

His efforts in the field of children’s literature is significant. He has written about seventy books for
children which include poems, stories, biographies, and stories of birds and animals. He has also written satires following in the foot steps of Fakir Mohan and Gopal Chandra Praharaj. His autobiography is a record of the freedom movement in Orissa.

He has received several awards such as the award from the Council of Children’s Literature for Kutukutu,the Vishub Award (1961), and the Orissa Sahitya Academy Award (1968). He had the honour of presiding over the children’s literature section of the All India Bengali Writers Conference held at Cuttack in 1964.

He has also received cash awards from the government for his contribution to children’s literature for such works as Tuku mushi, Bichitra manaba, Anya graha upagraha, Kulura mulaka bula, Harabhainka ghara bahuda, and Badudi mahasabha. He was also elected president of the oldest literary organisation, Utkala Sahitya Samaja, in 1981. Among his other significant works are: short-story collections: Uneisha teialish (1944), Dampatya kalahe chaiba (1945), Mudagar moha (1948); and his autobiography, Gandhi maharajanka sisya (1980).

Tuku Mushi
Bichitra Manaba
Uneisha Teialish
Kulura Mulaka Bula
Mudagar Moha
Badudi Mahasabha
Utkala Sahitya Samaja