Lasting love of literature

Pragati Prava

Young short story writer and novelist Nikhilesh Mishra is keen to take a plunge into the
ever-flowing stream of human emotions and experience. Among authors, he finds Jayanta Mahapatra, Manoj Das and Ruskin Bond “soul-stirring”, as they give voice to the deep and eternal feelings of the human heart…

In the digital age when book sales have been hit hard worldwide and people are increasingly switching over to the screen from the printed page, it is indeed surprising to find somebody who took a bold step in his career only because of his immense passion for literature. At a time when everyone is keen to pursue a career in engineering and management because of the rewarding salaries these professions promise, a bright student quit midway his mechanical engineering degree course at a prestigious national institute to follow his passion for literature. 

Nikhilesh Mishra, a dropout of the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Rourkela, joined Ravenshaw University subsequently to pursue graduation in English literature after he realised that literature was his cup of tea.

Even though a number of awards and accolades came his way, they could neither boost nor deter him from exploring literature – which, to him, is delving deep into the varied aspects of human life in order to identify one’s own self with the greater experience of humanity.
Keen to pursue a career in literature, Nikhilesh believes, there should be no difference between one’s passion and profession. “If you can blend the two, you can give society your best,” he says.

For his excellent skill in short story writing, the native of Mahira village in Jagatsinghpur district has own the Katha Nabapratibha Samman and the PEN IN New Voices award.
Winner of the prestigious Borasambar-Senapati Debate and Vice Chancellor’s Trophy in Debate at Ravenshaw University, Nikhilesh says he draws his inspirations from the immortal creations of Manoj Das. An avid reader of fictions, the 21-year-old boy has finished reading all the literary creations of Das. The bright boy emerged winner at the State Vigilance Awareness Week Debate recently.

Dwelling on his inspirations, Nikhilesh says Ruskin Bond’s vivid description of child characters immersed in their own joyous activities and their innocent desires and feelings motivated him to explore the other treasures of literature in childhood.
The second-year student, who is keen to write poems and stories, also nurtures a deep interest in social service and human welfare. The second rank holder in the CHSE exam, Nikhilesh used to work as a radio jockey at the community radio station when he was a Plus II student at SVM College in Jagatsinghpur. Currently, he addresses the community through the radio programme occasionally.

While he finds all the literary creations that reflect different aspects of human life without any pretention appealing, he has special interest in Oriya literature as the great literature of the state reflects the raw, the most original feelings of human life.

Nikhilesh, who has passed his board exams from Saraswati Sishu Mandir in Jagatsinghpur, says: “I find the poetry of Jayanta Mahapatra, the first-ever Indian poet to win the Sahitya Akademi award for English poetry, soul-stirring. That apart, my teacher at Ravenshaw University Jnanee Debasish Mishra and the young poet Saqti Mohanty inspire me to reflect on human emotions and feelings in poetry.”

The proud student of Ravenshaw University has recorded and presented a number of his own poems and stories in the ‘Yuvavani’ programme of All India Radio, Cuttack. A number of his poems have also appeared in reputed Oriya literary magazines like ‘Amrutayana’, ‘Saamnaa’, and ‘Sishira’.

“I feel the majestic structure of Ravenshaw University has a soul. The great heritage structure is enriched with stories of people who were nation-makers,” says Nikhilesh. “After I decided to quit NIT, I applied at Ravenshaw without a second thought,” he adds.
Describing a memorable moment, Nikhilesh says: “I value each moment I spent with my family and every memory which I did not record. When I am with my family I am in my comfort zone and can afford to be with myself. Those memories are the happiest. When memories fade, they become feelings, they get stored in your heart.”

About his achievements, the vibrant writer says: “All personal achievements come with an amount of emptiness. After each achievement or award, I feel a blank in my heart. They are not the happiest moments.”

Reading great works of poetry and novels is Nikhilesh’s favourite pastime. However, the works he reads, he says, should represent human life in its true form. They may be metaphysical but should have a direct link with human experience.