Odia author Girija Manjari Padhi has been into the profession of writing for the last five decades. She has written more than 20 books, which have been translated into Bengali and Hindi. Girija, who took to writing in Class IX, spoke to Orissa POST on her journey as an author.
Born to Sira Pani Das and Urmila Devi, Girija was inclined towards writing since childhood. “I grew up in a family where every member was passionate about literature, art and music. My father, although a farmer, took active interest in theatre. He had performed at Annapurna Theatre in Puri on several occasions. However, he struggled to maintain a family that comprised seven children. I was good at studies and secured good marks all through my career. The first poem I wrote was when I was worried about my future education. Those were very difficult days. The best in me comes out when I am in pain,” says the Bhubaneswar-based author.
Girija secured good marks in matriculation and was planning to do higher studies but her father felt it was high time for her to get married. However, she was not in favour of the dowry system and decided against getting married.
“It was a bold decision during those days as girls were married off at a young age. I somehow managed to convince my father to pursue higher studies. I took admission in Agarpada City Training College and after completing my course took the job of a high school teacher. During those days, one of my poems was published in the magazine Navina. It was a big day in my life,” says the Odisha Science Academy Award winner.
However, Girija soon got married and had to quit her job. Luckily, she didn’t stop writing and her poems would often be published in local magazines. “I was lucky to have a very supportive husband. He would continuously motivate me. At the same time, I would also manage my home and children,” she says.
Girija next took to writing short stories, novels and mythological books. She also translated a few books like Nua Bohu, Suna Pharua and Salikara Sweater. Gradually, her work started getting noticed and publishers started approaching her. “Two of my books, Madhumati and Hansadhwani, were published within a short span of time. During those days, I had the opportunity to meet popular Odia author Satakadi Hota, who suggested me to try my hand at children’s literature. There weren’t too many children’s literature writers at that time,” says Girija.
“I started writing books for children. I was acquainted with Bengali given that my father would often read Bengali story books. He would read out Bengali stories and I would listen to them. I also had a membership at a Bengali library in Bhubaneswar. That gave me a change to read the works of eminent authors. Bengali authors have done vast work on children’s literature. I was inspired by their work and decided to write for children,” she adds.
Her book, Jibajantunka Nijakatha, a science fiction story book for children, won her the Odisha Science Academy Award. Besides stories, she has also written several short stories and poems for children. Among them, Prajapati Pain Bohutie, Pilanka Maja Kahani and Kunmun Kabita books continue to be popular. “I have also translated a few books by popular Bengali authors like Sanjib Chattopadhyay,” she says.
Girija’s works have won her several awards like Prana Krishna Parija Popular Science Award. She was also felicitated by Odisha Women Writer’s Forum.
BRATATI BARAL, OP