Vinita Agrawal, recipient of the Jayanta Mahapatra National Award for Literature 2024, engaged in a conversation with OdishaPlus Editor Nilambar Rath. During this interaction, she reflected on her experiences with writing, poetry and literature, as well as the significance of receiving this esteemed award.
Indian poet Vinita Agrawal, known for her work in English, is set to receive the second Jayanta Mahapatra National Award for Literature, presented by Udaygiri Foundation.
Vinita is the author of six poetry collections: Words Not Spoken, The Longest Pleasure, Silk of Hunger, Two Full Moons, Twilight Language and Eartha.
Jayanta Mahapatra, who hailed from Cuttack, Odisha’s Millennium City, was an internationally acclaimed Indian poet. He was a Sahitya Akademi fellow and made significant contributions to both poetry and prose as an author, editor, and translator.
The award is constituted in the memory of Jayanta Mahapatra, honouring his immense contributions to Indian Literature.
How do you feel after getting the news that you have won the coveted Jayanta Mahapatra National Award for Literature?
I’m deeply honoured and humbled at winning this award. It’s a great validation of my journey as a poet. I’m extremely happy by this recognition.
Jayanta Mahapatra was known for a deep rooted empathy in his poetry. How do you appreciate it?
I’ve been an ardent fan of Jayanta Mahapatra’s poetry. I used to communicate with him since my early twenties. He never failed to write back. Every time I received his reply I would be overjoyed.
His poems inspire that kind of adulation from his readers. The element of empathy in his writing was so remarkable that one could only marvel at how he managed to pour so much feeling into his words. Each poem that he wrote was unique yet the same thread of compassion and empathy laced through it. Jayanta da was an extraordinarily gifted poet.
You have a discerning feature in your poetry related to nature and environment. What is the reason behind this?
I love the natural world. Plants, animals, trees and birds are precious creations we have on earth. For this beautiful bounty to be threatened by manmade forces like unplanned development, rapid industrialisation and selfish lifestyles is heartbreaking. I try to sensitise my readers to how vulnerable our environment is, through my poetry. It’s the least I can do.
What message do you want to convey through your poems?
My message is simple: Be Kind. Respect each other and also respect every living being that exists on the planet.
What do you feel about regional literature in our country? Are they disadvantaged compared to English writing?
Regional literature is an invaluable arm of the overall literature in our country. It should not be considered disadvantaged in any manner. The writing in all other languages in our country carries in its fold the rich culture and tradition of our nation. It would be tragic if the vast canvas of literature in languages other than English felt overshadowed or intimidated by writing in English. All languages are equal, it would be foolish to put English on a pedestal.
Do you agree that the regional literature should be translated into English and other languages more often?
Yes. I sincerely believe that regional literature should be translated into English and vice versa as often as possible. Translation acts like a bridge between worlds. It’s very important to translate works across languages.
Your mother tongue is Hindi. Why you chose to write in English?
My education was in English. Because of that I have an ease of expression in English. Without that ease and that comfort, it would be difficult for me to write in Hindi.
How do you relate to Odisha as a frequent visitor? What attracts you the most about this place?
It’s true that I am a frequent visitor to Odisha. It’s the people that bring me here each time. They’re warm and disarming, simple and genuine. Jayanta da was like that too. I also love the local food here, especially the temple food at Puri. Actually, Odisha is colourful and artistic as a whole. One of my favourite states in India.
(Views expressed are personal)
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