BookRelease

Book Release

Manepade [Recollections], an autobiography by renowned short story wrier, the Late Basanta Kumar Satpathy was released in Bhubaneswar’s Rotary Bhavan on the 12th of December 2008. Dr Gaganedra Dash, Guest of Honour and a well-known scholar himself, released the book at a jolly function presided over by Mr Aravind Behera. Mr KK Mohapatra, well-known translator, was the Chief Guest. The book brought out by Shikshasandhan carries a Foreword by Padmashri Dr Sitakant Mahapatra.

Before the release of the book, Mr. K.K. Mohapatra offered a sneak preview of the book by first talking about the way he had known the legendary author without ever having met him. Then he offered a fascinating reading of the book. In his inimitable style, Mr. Mohapatra dwelt on the subject of the sterling qualities in the autobiography that would surely endear Basanta Satpathy to his readers. He threw light on how the autobiographer has succeeded in reproducing the folk tradition of the rural areas of Mayaurbhanj, while recreating the interesting characters of pre-independence Mayaurbhanj. Dr. Dash released the book to the utter delight of the audience who cheered the formal release. The renowned cultural historian then went on to present an in-depth analysis of the autobiography. He highlighted the three reasons why he thinks autobiographies, especially autobiographies of the class of Manepade, are valuable:
i) They offer examples of how an ordinary person can overcome much excruciating circumstances to become extraordinary human beings. Thus the protagonists of the autobiography act as role models for the interested reader.
ii) Autobiographies are valuable also because they serve as useful sources for historical research (since gossips, word of mouth and legends are no less important sources than written records and inscription.)
iii) Autobiographies can also be profitably read as interesting literature.

Mr Behera offered his insights into the personality of the author and the way he had known him. Among the others, Mr Nihar Ranjan Hota, retired IAS also gave an eloquent tribute to the master story-teller. Dr Sanjoy Kumar Satpathy, son of the legendary author spoke on behalf of the family. Among those present were peots and writers such as Sourindra Barik, Sarojini Sahoo, Jagadish Mohanty, Dash Benhur, Kamala Kanta Panda, Japani Babu, Professor HS Mohapatra,Dr.BSDash,Mr.APMohanty and many others
Professor JK. Nayak and Dr. Anil Pradhan delivered the welcome and valedictory addresses respectively.