Archana NayakBorn in 1947 in Puri district of Odisha State, Dr Archana Nayak is a well-known litterateur in contemporary Odia literature. She served as a Professor of Odia Language and Literature in Government Colleges of the state. She is a revered story writer,novelist, essayist, playwright, lyricist, and translator. Among her notable novels are Satapadmara Deepa, Rani Shyamadevi, Sita; her anthology of stories are Swapna Godhuli, Kuhudipankshi, Anyanayika, Shramanara Pruthivi, Kalpanika Satya, Hansaprahari, Nakshatra Bhasha, Sakshi Thakurani, Gandharvaveena, and Chitralekhara Chitra. Her readers and literary circles admire her for her selection of sensitive humanistic themes, portrayal of characters, forceful language, and lucid style of expression-the themes of her creativity range from real-life experiences to history, mythology and spiritualism. The notable awards she has won are Odisha Sahitya Akademi, Satyabadi Sahitya Puraskara, Jemasamanta Srujani Puraskara, Justice Rajakishore Das Sahitya Puraskara, Kuntala Kumari Sabata Sahitya Samman, Sarala Samman (Cuttack) and Sahitya Bharati Samman. She was the editor of the famous Odia magazine Savitri. She was also the chief editor of the spiritual magazine Aaspruha. She was a good orator and announcer for Lord Jagannatha's Rathajatra (Chariot Festival) programme on different television channels and Akashvani Kendras in Odisha.She is also a recognized dramatist. She has written a series of drama scripts published in reputed literary magazines. Her much acclaimed three-hour duration drama Ambapali was staged several times. Most of her plays were telecasted by T.V. and broadcast by All India Radio. She was also honoured many times for her significant contributions to scriptwriting. She is also an authorized lyricist in All India Radio, Cuttack, Odisha. Read More Read Less