Renowned poet and Padma Bhushan awardee Ramakanta Rath, who was also a former bureaucrat, passed away at his residence in Kharavela Nagar, Bhubaneswar on Sunday( 16 March 2025), marking the end of an era in Odia literature.

He was 91.

Rath’s contributions left an indelible mark on Indian literature.

About Ramakanta Rath 

Born on December 13, 1934, in Cuttack, Rath pursued his master’s degree in English Literature from Ravenshaw University. Despite a distinguished career in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), which he joined in 1957, his passion for literature remained undeterred. Before retiring in 1992, he held several key positions, including Chief Secretary of Odisha.