Young poets write very well, says Sahitya Akademi Award winner Gayatribala Panda

Gayatribala Panda, an Odia poet, will receive Sahitya Akademi Award 2022 for her poetry book ‘Dayanadi’. It was announced by the Akademi on Thursday. She has already received Sahitya Akademi’s Yuva Puraskar in 2011 for her poetry collection ‘Gaon’. Panda, who has bagged several awards for her contribution to the field of literature, told TOI’s Hemanta Pradhan about her literary creations and her journey as a poet.
Do you find any generation gap between yesteryear’s poets and today’s poets?
Our predecessors were using different poetic meters to write poetry. We have a great tradition of poetry with various styles and poetic meters. But now the young generation is choosing free verse to write poems. Even the next generation may follow this too while writing poetry. But we cannot just differentiate the poetry of our predecessors and today’s young generation on the basis of style and poetic meters. Poetry can beat the time with its appeal to readers.
Can you name a book of yours that has given you satisfaction?
I am yet to get self-satisfaction from writing. Had I received satisfaction from writing books, I would have stopped this practice. Whenever I write a book, I suddenly feel happy about my creation. But later I feel the book could not capture the feelings the way I wanted to narrate. This type of mindset inspires me to do well and write more. The day I get satisfaction from my literary creations, I will stop writing.
Where do you get inspiration for poetry?
I never prepare a plan or blueprint to write a book on a topic. I get an inner urge to write something on an issue I come across. I immediately write down a couplet or some stanzas of a poem. This small beginning makes me restless and compels me to write continuously till the end. During this process, I cannot focus on other poems or literary works. I think an invisible power encourages me to continue writing. To write poetry, I get an inner call.
What is your reaction after getting nominated for the Sahitya Akademi award?
I still feel readers’ love and affection are the top recognition for a litterateur. But this award will give a big platform to an author. Readers from different parts of the country and outside will show interest to read the books of a Sahitya Akademi awardee. His/her books will be translated to other languages. It will create an opportunity to get connected with more readers. This prestigious award is given on the basis of the writing of an author.
Do you feel young people are not interested in poetry?
No. Young people are showing much interest in poetry. A few years ago, litterateurs were suspecting that the younger generation may not like poems. But the situation is totally different now. Youths are doing very well in this genre. I have seen young people write very well. Odia poetry is unique in the country. I hope our young generation will take this to the next level.