Sahadev's World: Sadanand, You Should Not Have Left Us So Early

I met Sadanand for the first time in 1996 in Rourkela. We knew each other much before the said meeting. He had written me letters on my stories, on two or three occasions. I had read him. He learnt from someone about my posting in Rourkela. He was working in the state bank of India in a Rourkela branch. He came with poet Ashok Chandra Mohapatra. Then, we met at least once in every week. He introduced me to his other friends; poet Radhu Misra. Kshirod Behera, Rajeev Pani, and others. We sat in some place, discussed stories, language and literature, future of Odia novels and language, et al.

( Paresh Patnaik, Rabi Panda, Sahadev Sahoo and Sadanand Tripathy, in Cuttack in 2019 at Odisha Maritime Museum)

Our relation continued through letters after I was transferred from Rourkela. When mobile phones and WhatsApp came to be in use, we talked over phone. But he always preferred to give his views on stories in writing. When he wanted to speak on my stories, he sent messages in WhatsApp. He did not praise only; he also conveyed, if he noticed any incongruity, or if he did not like something in the story. On some occasions, I have also accepted his views, and revised the story before the stories are compiled in a book.

(Odisha Art and Literature Festival, Puri in 2025. Mousumi Das, Paresh Patnaik, Sahadev Sahoo and Sadanand Tripthy)

He had dedicated his life for literature. After his working hours in the bank, he read, thought, wrote or discussed literature with his friends. He was very happy when he met a writer, irrespective of age; his happiness was visible on his face and manner. He was senior to me in age and writing, but he treated me equal, and a friend. He insisted on not addressing him Sadanand Babu, but by the first name Sadanand or Sadanand Bhai. He was handsome and his handwriting was beautiful.

(Letter dated 17th July 1999 after I was transferred from Rourkela to Cuttack)

Last time he sent me a massage in WhatsApp, just one year ago, on 20 April, 2025 on my story published in Nabalipi. We dd not think even in our imagination, he would leave us so early. I have lost a friend, and a well-wisher and Odisha lost a brilliant litterateur.