Jharigaon Hosts Launch of ‘Amalan Smruti’ Book, Celebrating Literary Contribution and Preserving Memories Through the Written Word

Jharigaon, Aug 19 [UDN}:: The Bharati Kala Niketan Literature and Cultural Festival 2026 was celebrated at the Jharigaon Block Conference Hall in Nabarangpur district. On this occasion, the book ‘Amalan Smruti’, written by noted writer and poetess Sangeeta Murti, was formally launched in memory of her late husband, Ajay Murti, a resident of Chhattisgarh.
The programme was organised under the chairpersonship of Madhusmita Maharana, president of Bharati Kala Niketan. Jharigaon Tahasildar Sumanta Kumar Patra attended the event as the chief guest, while Parikshit Sahu, Principal of Raighar College, was the chief speaker. Dr. Surendra Nath Dash, litterateur Ballav Rout, Srinivas Patnaik, Prafulla Kumar Rout, Birendra Padhi, Sangeeta Murti, Sahadeb Parida, Ram Prasad Patra, Tirupati Balaji Sahu, Swagatika Sahu, Swarnalata Patnaik, Sagar Kumar Parida, Prafulla Mahapatra, Urmila Mahapatra, Santosh Kumar Khamari, Prabhasini Mahanty, Swapna Mahanty, Basantilata Jena, Jhanhabi Panda, Sabita Turu and several other dignitaries were present and participated in the book-launch ceremony.
Following the launch, a story-reading session was organised, featuring prominent storytellers from different blocks of Nabarangpur district. The programme concluded with a vibrant cultural performance presented by artists associated with various organisations.
The event was coordinated by Gopal Maharana, secretary of Bharati Kala Niketan, while Sahadeb Parida delivered the vote of thanks. During the programme, Bhargavi Patnaik, M. Madhuchhanda and Sunaina Priyadarshini also presented their poems.
Sangeeta Murti was born in Jharigaon Block headquarters of Nabarangpur district. After her marriage, she moved to Jagdalpur in neighbouring Chhattisgarh. Despite living outside Odisha, she continued to maintain a strong connection with and affection for the Odia language and literature. She has written several stories, poems and other literary works and has been honoured by various literary and cultural organisations for her contributions.
Following the demise of her husband Ajay Murti last year, Sangeeta Murti began writing ‘Amalan Smruti’ in his memory. She expressed that the book and its launch ceremony became possible with the blessings and memories of her late husband as well as the support and cooperation of her family members.
The event highlighted the enduring bond between literature, culture, memory and the Odia language, while providing a meaningful platform for local writers, poets and artists to showcase their talents.