Few Words about Santanu Kumar Acharya
Oriental Academy of Arts & Letters was established with a simple yet enduring vision—to preserve, promote and celebrate the timeless heritage of literature, art, culture and scholarly research while making knowledge accessible to readers, researchers and future generations.
Dear Readers, Scholars & Friends,
Santanu Kumar Acharya,eminent Indian writer in Odia language was born on 15 May 1933 in Kolkata(West Bengal) to his mother Krushnapriya Mishra (1910–1942) and father Ananta Charan Acharya (1900–1985). His family belongs to a culturally rich village Sidheswarpur in the state of Odisha where an erudite patriarch of his clan Gopala Chandra Praharaj compiled the iconic encyclopedic Odia Dictionary the Purnachandra Odia Bhashakosha in 7 volumes. He started his literary career with the novel ‘Nara Kinnara(1962)’, translated into English as ‘In Search of the Soul’, which was far ahead of the time in its theme as well as vivacity & rhetoric. The book was prescribed for Post Graduate students of Universities. He has written 17 novels, 23 short story collections & large number of books for Children. Some of his novels like ‘Shatabdira Nachiketa(Nachiketa of the century)’ & ‘Shakuntala’ etc. are considered to be milestones in Modern Indian literature. He has been decorated with many distinguished literary awards including the Central Sahitya Academy Award(1993), Ati Badi Jagannath Das Award(2014-the highest honour given by the State), The coveted ‘Sarala Puraskar(1987)’, ‘Katha Puraskar(2003). This erudite nonagenarian is still contributing to the field of art, literature & culture in a magnificent way through his cultural organization Santanu Kumar Acharya Foundation Trust.
Academic Excellence
From his student days, Mr. Dash earned recognition for his exceptional scholarship. He graduated with distinction and received a Gold Medal in his Master's degree. An avid reader throughout his life, he has built an extraordinary personal library of more than 50,000 books covering literature, cinema, fine arts, performing arts, history, philosophy and many other disciplines.
Author & Scholar
He is the author of the acclaimed work Understanding the Art of Cinema, a comprehensive study on the art and science of filmmaking. The book has received appreciation from students, teachers, researchers and film enthusiasts across India.
Besides authoring books, he has contributed numerous articles on cinema, literature and social issues in leading newspapers and magazines.
Contribution to Cinema & Culture
Widely regarded as an authority on cinematic arts, Mr. Dash has played a pioneering role in promoting film appreciation in Bihar. He has chaired several government committees related to cinema and has been actively involved with the Bihar State Film Development Corporation, film festivals, exhibitions and educational workshops.
His guidance has inspired filmmakers, artists, journalists, teachers and students while significantly contributing to the development of cinema studies in the state.
Leadership in Educational & Cultural Institutions
Throughout his career, he has served as Chairman, President, Patron, Trustee, Advisor and Governing Body Member of numerous educational, literary and cultural institutions.
He played an instrumental role in establishing and nurturing organizations such as Bihar Art Theatre, The Cine Society, Patna Book Fair, Indira Gandhi Planetarium, Film Appreciation Centre, Rang Mati and several other institutions dedicated to art, literature and public education.
Social Commitment
Beyond literature and culture, Mr. Dash has consistently championed causes related to environmental protection, consumer rights, disaster management, human rights, public administration and education.
Through seminars, conferences, workshops and public lectures in India and abroad, he has inspired countless students, administrators and researchers. His pioneering environmental campaign, Save Earth, became one of the earliest public awareness movements in the country.
Legacy
Mr. Rajendra Narayan Dash continues to be regarded as one of the most respected socio-cultural leaders in the fields of literature, arts, education and public service. His lifelong dedication to knowledge, scholarship and cultural preservation remains the guiding inspiration behind the mission of Oriental Academy of Arts & Letters.
Santanu Kumar Acharya
Honorary Member
Oriental Academy of Arts & Letters
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