Celebrated playwright Manoranjan Das passed away here on Monday. He was 90 and is survived by a son and three daughters.
Das was the pioneer of New Theatre movement in Odisha. His plays were not only immensely popular but also bagged honours like Padma Shri, Sarala Award, Central Sahitya Akademi and Sangeet Natak Akademi.
His plays have been included in the school curriculum and also been translated into English, Hindi, Bengali, Assamese and Sanskrit.
His famous works include, Aranya Fasal, Katha Ghoda, Sabdalipi, Chota Nataka, August Na, Bitarkita Aparanha, Klanta Prajapati and Nanda Keshari.
In his glistening career he had the rare distinction of serving as secretary of three State Akademis including the Odisha Sahitya Akademi, Sangeet Natak Akademi and Lalit Kala Akademi.
He also held prestigious positions as Secretary of Utkal Sahitya Samaj, Chairman, Board of Studies for Dance Drama and Music of Utkal University as well as the working president of Kala Vikash Kendra.