Eminent poet Robin S. Ngangom was conferred the Jayanta Mahapatra National Award for Literature 2026 at the Toshali Literature Festival in Bhubaneswar, celebrating Indian English poetry and literary excellence
OdishaPlus Bureau
The 4th Toshali Literature Festival, organised by the Udaygiri Foundation, Bhubaneswar, concluded with the conferment of Jayanta Mahapatra National Award for Literature 2026 on eminent poet Robin S. Ngangom in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Indian English poetry.
Eminent literary figures from Odisha and outside, including Dr. Pratibha Ray, Haraprasad Das, Dr. K.V. Dominic, Dr. Chandrasekhar Hota, Robin S. Ngangom, and Prof. Mazrooh Rashid graced the occasion. Jay Jagadev, President, Udaygiri Foundation outlined the Foundation’s commitment to promoting Odia literature at the pan-Indian level and abroad.
On this occasion, besides Toshali Anthology of Poetry, new books like Unbridled by Divya K. Unni, Where Peace Begins By Dr. Sweta Kumari , Durgapur Review by Braja Kumar Sarkar (Editor), The Snake and Ladder Game by Manoranjan Sahu Architects of Odisha: An NRI’s Perspective by Sambit Dash were released by the dignitaries.
In his keynote address, Haraprasad Das urged writers to move beyond Western-centric literary paradigms and reclaim India’s indigenous narrative traditions. Dr. Pratibha Ray, the Chief Guest, highlighted literature as a life experience and stressed the importance of giving voice to women and marginalised communities in their writings. A special movie on the life and times of Jayanta Mahapatra was also screened before the audience.
Over 150 noted litterateurs, scholars and enthusiasts from all over India participated in different sessions spanning over two days during the festival. The event marked engaging sessions on Climate Change and Literature, Gender and Literature, Feminism in Contemporary Fiction, Children’s Literature, Literature and Social Media, and Poet’s Poetry versus AI Poetry, along with poetry readings by young writers, and a Multilingual Poetry Reading Session.
It was a meanigful fete where genuine writers read out their artefacts and impressed the audience by their creative power abd prowess.i hope the legacy will be upheld in future also. I congratulate the organisers for holding such beautiful event from core of my heart.i also thank them for having invited me to be there on the occasion.