3 Review(s)

ITARA (2021), by acclaimed Odia author Subhransu Panda, narrates the life journey of Gobinda, a Kinnara (transgender), who struggles with multiple identities, including Baby, Tila, Gopi, Leena, and Kareena, as society pressures them to conform to a single male identity. Panda was conferred with the esteemed Akshaya Upanyasa Puraskara 2024 for this thought-provoking novel, the first Odia novel to address the plight and struggle of the third gender community. The award was instituted by celebrated author Padma Bhushan Dr Pratibha Ray. The Akshaya Upanyasa Puraskara honours outstanding Odia novelists under 50. The prestigious award comprises a plaque, certificate, and ?51,000 cash prize. This year, Subhransu Panda was chosen to receive this esteemed recognition. Panda’s novel, ITARA, published by PEN IN BOOKS, is a pioneering work in Odia literature, addressing the LGBTQ+ issue and shedding light on the struggles of transwomen in Odisha. The author hopes that his book will inspire a shift in societal perception towards the transgender community.According to Panda, a writer’s words carry immense weight, and their writing can be a powerful catalyst for change. To authentically portray the struggles of the transgender community in his novel, ITARA, Panda immersed himself in their stories, engaging in extensive interactions and listening to their experiences by meeting the community extensively.