Sambalpur, Aug 24: Veteran Odia litterateur and former Vice-President of the Odisha Sahitya Akademi, Giri Dandasena, passed away on Monday while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Burla. He was 77.

Dandasena had been suffering from prolonged illness and was bedridden for a considerable period. His health condition deteriorated around five days ago, following which he was admitted to a private hospital in Burla. He breathed his last at around 8 am on Monday while undergoing treatment.

Born on December 29, 1949, Dandasena made significant contributions to Odia literature through his writings. He was particularly known for ‘Sundargarh Itihasa’, a widely discussed work documenting the history, heritage and cultural legacy of Sundargarh.

His notable works include ‘Kalasūtra’, ‘Odishi Odishi’, ‘Bhumigarbha’, ‘Rastakadarē Jibana’ and ‘Sundargarh Itihasa’, among others.

Dandasena served as the Vice-President of the Odisha Sahitya Akademi from May 18, 2011, to February 8, 2015. Throughout his literary career, he earned recognition for his contribution to Odia literature and cultural documentation.

His demise has cast a pall of gloom over Odisha's literary and cultural circles. Writers, scholars and admirers mourned his death, describing it as an irreparable loss to Odia literature.

Dandasena leaves behind a rich literary legacy that is expected to continue inspiring readers and researchers interested in Odisha's history, culture and literature.