Rajat Kumar Kar
Rajat Kumar Kar was an Indian playwright, Jagannath culture researcher, and Radio and TV commentator. He had written more than 600 plays for radio. He was the longest and oldest active commentator of the Ratha Jatra of Lord Jagannath on both TV and radio for more than 62 years. The Government of India honored him with the Padma Shri award in 2021 for his works in Odia literature. He was a prolific writer on Upendra Bhanja literature and has seven non-fiction to his credit. He has also written a few books on Lord Jagannath.
Career
An economist, a planner, educational administrator and retired as Director, Teacher Education and SCERT in 1992. Served as Director, Elementary and Adult Education from 1986 to 1989 and from 1989 till 1992 as Director, SCERT Director, and Teacher Education when Government of Orissa created a Directorate for Training College and Training Schools.Held additional charge of Director, State Institute of Education and Technology from 1989 to 1992. was in-charge of TV production in education.
Experience In Secondary And Primary Education AsInspector of Schools from 1968-1979, Experience In Adult And Primary Education As Deputy Director And Director Trained in N.C.C. and retired as a Captain to take up assignment as Assistant D.P.I.. Acted as Deputy Director, NCC and Physical Education and was elected as the Joint Secretary of Schools Games Federation of India. Remain in-charge of functional literacy project of adult education and got commendation from Government of India.
He was also the Vice-President of the Board of Secondary Education, Odisha
Former State Chief Commissioner of Bharat Scout & Guides, Odisha
He was also the executive council member of Eastern Zonal Cultural Council,Govt.of India from 2002-2008
He was also member of the Advisory committee of SREC,Govt.of Odisha.
He was also a visiting Professor of Odia Literature in Utkal University.
Literary creation
- Jana Jibanare Jagannath - 2006
- Ananya Jagannath Anubhuthire - 2008
- Andhaputuli - 1971
- Chandan Hajur - 1967
- Janana Janauchhi Jagannathnku - 1999
- Baisi Pabachha - 1999
- Veer Chakhi Khuntia - 2003
- Janamanasre Bhanja - 2007
- The Light that was India
- Lord Jagannath the Unique Deity of Odisha
- Annaya Shri Jagannath Anubhootima
a) Bhagabat Tungi- Prarthana Channel
b) Naivedya- Taranga TV
c) Guru Bhagabat- Prarthana Channel
d) BAIDEHISHABILASA of Kavi Samrat Upendra Bhanja telecasted in Prathana TV
e) Badi Pala Mancha- ran successfully for 4years under his stewardship till his death
f) Running Commentator for last 62years of Car Festival of Lord Jagannath
g) Odisha365 series talk in youtube
Awards & Recognitions
Received Best Playwright Award from State Sangeet Natak Academy in 1994.Sri Jagannath Award in the Year 1998.
Chira Sandhan Award 1997.
Bhakta Charan Trust Award 1995.
Nilachala Pala Gayak Sangh Award in 2000.
Award of Distinction by Andhra Oriya Teacher’s Association in 1998.
Sishu Ananta award-2007 from Sishu AnantaAshram,Balianta
Bhanjashree Sahitya Saman from BhanjaSmruti Sansad,Ganjam
Niara Natyashilpi o NipumDharabibarinidata,from All India Radio,Cuttack
Adinatyakar Award-2009 from Jagmohan LalSmruti Parishad
Ramchandra Mishra Natak Award-2009 from Utkal Sahitya Samaj
Artabalav Samman-2004 from ArtabalavSmruti Parishad,Cuttack
Kalinga Sahitya Samaj-2004
Rajya Stariya Pitambar Swain Orator Award - 2002 from Pitambar Swain Smruti sansadBhadrak
Bichchanda Charan Samman - 2009 from Kalinga Sanskrutika Anustan, Bhubaneswar
Shri Gundicha Samman-2009 from Shri Gundicha Pratistan,Puri
Bhakta Kabi Dinakrushna Samman - 2008 from Dinakrushna Smruti Parishad.Jaleswar
Madhu Swabhiman Samman - 2008 from Ravenshaw Collegiate School Old Boys Association
Balachar Bandhu Award - 2004 from Bharat Scout&Guides
EminentOratorAward - 2000,OrissaSocietyof Americans,America
Jagannath Society of America Award - 2000 from JSA America
Utkal Jyoti Award - 2005 from Bharat Scout&Guides
Ruchi Pushpagiri Samman - 2003 from Ruchi Prativa Foudation
Best Professional and Media Excellency Award in Odia Literature - 2009 from All India Journalist Union
Gitinatyakar Award - 2006 from GanakabiSmruti Sansad,Cuttack
Bhimsen Pati Natyakar Award - 2002 from Utkal Ashram,Berhampur
Pandit Godabarish Mishra Award - 2011 from Sarala Sahitya Samaj
Odisha Gourab - 2011 from Bibhababanewspaper
Chitrakala Nayak Samman - 2011 from Satadru
Prativa Samman - 2012 from Berhampur University
‘Kabi Jayakrushna Mishra Samman - 2013’ from Chiransandhan
‘Bagdevi Samman’ - 2014 from MahangaSahitya Sanskrutika Samaj
‘Bansi Samman’ - 2014 from Cuttack ZilaJadhav Samaj
“PRATHANA SAMMANA” by Prathana Channel the only Religious Channel of Odisha.
“Adi Kabi Sarala Sammana” by SaralaSansada.
Odisha Sahitya Akademi- Life time Achievement Ovation in the field of Literature in year 2017
Received Honorary D.Lit from Utkal University of Culture in 2017
“Shri Jagannath Samman” Shri Jagannath Pratisthan, Puri in 2018
Dr Basudev Kar Memorial Award 2019
Mahanga Sahitya Mahotsab Sammna 2020
Padmashri in field of Art & Literature in 2021
And many more honours,medals,certificate,titles from various regional, national and international organizations.