Renowned Odia poet Ramakanta Rath passed away on Sunday, March 16, 2025. The 90-year-old poet took his last breadth at his residence in Kharvel Nagar, Bhubaneswar, family sources confirmed. Rath was a Padma Bhushan awardee and was survived by three daughters and a son.
The demise of Ramakanta Rath was mourned by multiple leaders and personalities in Odisha. They gathered at his residence to pay their last respects. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed profound sadness over the loss. He stated that Rath would always be remembered for his significant contributions to literature and Indian administrative services.
Mohan Charan Majhi prayed for the departed soul and offered condolences to the family. He announced that Rath’s last rites would be conducted with full state honor. The last rites were scheduled for Monday in Puri Swargadwar. This information was shared by Rath’s younger daughter after his son arrived from abroad.
Ramakanta Rath was born on December 13, 1934, in Cuttack. His educational journey included an M.A. in English literature from Ravenshaw College. Rath joined the IAS in 1957 and retired as Odisha’s chief secretary in 1992. During his career, he held several prominent positions in both state and central governments.
His poetry collections include celebrated works such as “Kete Dinara,” “Aneka Kothari,” and “Sptama Rutu.” Some of his poems were translated into English and other languages, expanding his reach. Rath received various awards, including the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1977 and the Padma Bhushan in 2006. Serving as vice president and later president of Kendra Sahitya Akademi, his impact on literature was profound.
