Eminent satirist, critic and founder of the popular satirical magazine ‘Durmukha’, Pandit Achyutananda Kar died of prolonged illness here late on Sunday.
The 80-year-old was undergoing treatment at SCBMCH where he breathed his last. He is survived by wife Sailabala, two sons and a daughter.
Born to Kanduri Dasa and Mauna Devi at Tarjang village under Bari Derabis of Kendrapara district, Kar had shown cultural and literary inclinations from a very young age. He was associated with the Akashvani, Cuttack, as an artiste from 1960.
He founded and edited the most popular magazine on satire ‘Durmukha’ in 1972, which caught the imagination of the people and caused ripples in the political circles through its piercing and incisive articles. His books ‘Ita cement ra Punjibad’, ‘Katha Katha Re’, ‘Pandita Achyutanka Byanga’, ‘Sangram O Sangharsha’, ‘Dake Durmukha’ and ‘Beaieen Manisha,’ became examples of satirical literature in the State.
His death has been mourned by Governor MC Bhandare and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. His last rites were performed at Swargadham Khan Nagar here on Monday.