Poet and short story writer Prabina Kumar Kabi has become quite a prominent name in the Odia literary circuit. Prabina in Odia means ‘expert’ and kabi means ‘poet.’
“I don’t know if I am an expert, but I love writing,” he says, smiling.
Prabina’s poems and short stories primarily revolve around social issues. His writings have been appreciated and won him awards like the Madhusudan Juba Kabi Samman, Bhasa Jodha Samman and Biplabi Juba Kabi Samman.
Born in a middle-class family of Anandpur in Keonjhar, Prabina took to writing at an early age. The young writer says that village life fascinated him, and he would often pen down his thoughts as a child. His first poem appeared in a popular Odia magazine published from Cuttack, when he was still in school. This gave Prabina’s confidence a boost and he started writing more.
However, Prabina’s parents, Pratima and Ajay Kumar Kabi, wanted their son to take academics seriously and pursue a career in science. Prabina, although more inclined towards literature, didn’t disappoint his parents. He secured a master’s degree in botany and today is a lecturer in Patitapaban (Degree) College, Sainkul, Keonjhar. However, he never gave up writing poetry and short stories.
“My grandfather, Sadashiv Kabi, was a poet. His works would often get published in newspapers and magazines. I idolised him and wanted to write like him. I still feel I have a long way to go to match his standards,” says Prabina, who has authored books like Indradhanu, Hata Paanta Re Ishwara and Paunsha Talara Gaan.
“There was pressure to perform well academically but I never really stopped reading and writing. There were times when I couldn’t write because of my studies. Every time I gave writing a break, I would feel depressed. So, I would manage to find time during study breaks and write. Gradually, I started participating in recitation events across the state,” adds Prabina.
Besides writing, Prabina has loved music since childhood. He is a trained Hindustani classical vocalist. Ask him if he plans to write lyrics someday, and Prabina says, “Poems are all about thoughts and emotions but writing lyrics is a different ballgame. A song has a particular mood and follows a genre. The lyrics need to be written keeping that in mind. I have never given it a try, but I am open to the idea.”
The writer says that he loves helping people and working towards the betterment of society. “I have always believed in helping people who need our support. Perhaps, that’s the reason my poems too revolve around social issues. I am not associated with any organisation but help people in my own way,” he says.
Prabina may have won many big awards in the last few years, but he doesn’t want to rest on his laurels. “I constantly look for new ideas and themes for my poems and short stories. I read a lot of magazines and literary works. I still have a lot to learn,” says Prabina, who is also working on a book that is likely to release in the next few months.
SOYONG, OP