Gokulananda Mahapatra

Gokulananda Mahapatra (24 May 1922 – 10 July 2013) was an Indian scientist and science fiction writer, who popularized science in the Odia language. Mahapatra has authored over 95 science fiction and children science books. Some of his notable contributions are Krutrima Upagraha, Prithibi bahare Manisha, Chandra ra Mrutyu, Nishabda Godhuli, Madam Curie and Nila Chakra Bala Sapare. He was the founding member of Orissa Bigyana Prachar Samhiti with the objective of making science popular in the state of Orissa. He received Orissa Sahitya Akademy Award for his book E juga ra sreshtha abiskara.

Early life and career

Mahapatra was born in Bhadrak, Odisha. He went on to do MSc from the University of Calcutta and was honored with PhD from the Utkal University. He also pursued FIC (Fellow in Chemistry) degree at Brandeis University (Boston, MA). He retired as the Head of the Department of Ravenshaw University.

Honours and awards

Mahapatra was awarded the Kalinga Prize in 2010, the Orissa Sahitya Akademy Award in 1986, and R K Parija Samman Saala Samman for his contribution to science literature in Odia.

Publications

Science fiction

• Pruthibi bahare manisha
• Krutrima Upagraha
• Chandrara Mrutyu
• Nishabda Godhuli
• Sunara Odisha
• Mrutyu eka matrutwa ra
• Nishchala pruthibi
• Mrutyu rashmi

Stories

• Udanta thalia
• Chaturtha parisara
• Bigyana bichitra
• Bigyanara srestha abiskara
• E jugara srestha abiskara