Dr. Ranjan Pradhan is a writer who has been dominating the Odia literary world for the last three and half decade long in many fields; such as poetry, modern short story, novel and research. He is a very popular name in the tribal and river research in Odisha. He is one of the most stylish short story and novel writers of Odia literature. He was born in a small remote village named Niginipur on the bank of river Gobari of Kendrapada district of Odisha in 1979. He used to write poetry in his school age. He is a graduate in science stream in Zoology subject. After completion Science graduation from Kendrapada Autonomous College (Utkal University), he studied Journalism and mass communication. He completed PGJMC from IGNOU, New Delhi and MAJMC from North Odisha University, Baripada.
He joins as a journalist in the largest Odia daily news paper Sambad. He has completed M.A. in Odia from Utkal University, Odisha. He is a PhD scholar from Utkal Univerisity of Culture, Bhubaneswar. He has done PhD in tribal study.
Dr. Pradhan starts his professional career from ‘Sambad’ (the largest Odia daily news paper of Odisha). He has worked both as a Sub-Editor in the desk and district correspondent in many districts of Odisha. Particularly he works as a journalist in the tribal districts like Koraput, Nabarangapur, Anugul Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj and Kandhamal which helps him intensive tribal research.
He started writing from the year of 1992. But, in the year of 2003, the first poetry collection Matigeeta (The song of the earth) is published in the book form. Dr. Pradhan’s poems are purely folk centric and rich with village experiences. There were the emotional clarity and honesty of experience in his poetry. His next two poem books ‘Bhagabata Tungi’ and ‘Aanjulaae Nibidataa’ are also two masterpieces.
Dr. Pradhan is very renowned in Odia short stories. His speciality is exceptional thought and exclusive style. He is a most styleish story writer in Odia literature. An Odia short story ‘Bapa’ (the father) had won the 13th Bhubaneswar book fair Rabi Pattanaik smruti award (2007). During his college period, he had got first position in State Label Odia short story competition sponsored by Jagaruka Sahitya Sanskruti Pratisthan, Kendrapada (1998). He has also got Srusti o’ srasta award-2006 (Umerkote, Nabarangapur district of Odisha) for Odia short stories. He has bagged Lekhalekhi Youth Odia Short Story Award-2007 (Youth Odia Short Story Award, Bhubaneswar) for excellence in Odia short stories. He has got Nirvan Yuva Pratibha Samman-2008 (Jayapur, Odisha) and Umakanta Mohapatra Smruti Samman-2008 (Kedar Nath Gabesana Prathisthana, Bhubaneswar) for odia short stories. He has got Sahitya Akademi’s travel grant and visited New Delhi and made a research project regarding the eminent Odia writers of India. Dr. Pradhan has got the prestigious Bharatiya Bhasha Parisad’s ‘Yuva Award’ in 2017 and Pratibha Ray Foundation’s ‘Akshay Ray Novel Award’
Dr. Pradhan has got the first prize in State Level Odia short story competition organised by Jagaruka Sahitya Sanskruti Pratisthan, Kendrapada (1998) when he was a college student. Since then he has never looked back and stepped forward. Mr. Pradhan has also gets Srusti o’ srasta award-2006 (Umerkote, Nabarangapur district of Odisha) for Odia short stories. He also bags Lekhalekhi Youth Odia Short Story Award-2007 (Youth Odia Short Story Award, Bhubaneswar) for excellence in Odia short stories, Nirvan Yuva Pratibha Samman-2008 (Jayapur, Koraput, Odisha, for Odia short stories), Umakanta Mohapatra Smruti Samman-2008 (Kedar Nath Gabesana Prathisthana, Bhubaneswar for Odia short stories), Gouri Sankar award-2011, (Shishu Kalam, Bhubaneswar-2011 for tribal research), Paschima Aadibasi Sahitya samman-2013 (Paschima Sahitya Patrika, Bhubaneswar, for Odia short stories), 30th Bhubaneswar book fair Award-2014 for the book ‘Aadibasi Nacha O’ Geeta’, 17th Kalinga Book Fair Award-2014 (Bhubaneswar) for the Book ‘Juanga Parbaparbani’, 16th Rajadhani Book Fair Award-2015 (Bhubaneswar) for his book ‘Gonasika Nandinee; Baitaranee’, 19th Manthan Yuba Pratibha Award, Bhubaneswar-2015 (for best Journalist), Yuba Yoti Pratibha Samman-2015, Bhubaneswar (for best Journalist), Kishori Charan Puraskar-2016 (Kishori Charan Smruti Sansada, Katak) for the Odia short story book ‘Bhitamin’, Chintamani Behera Smruti Kabita Puraskar-2016, Udala, Mayurbhanj for poetry,Punarnaba Sahitya Samman, Chandol, Kendrapada, 2017 (for prose), Galpa Gourav Samman-2017, Pratishruti Pratisthan, Baripada, Mayurbhanj ( for the Odia short story), Pujya Puja Saraswata Samman-2017, Pujya Puja, Baripada, Mayurbhanj ( for the Odia short story), Hazi Asraf Alli Udaya Pratibha Puraskar-2018, Phakir Mohan Sahitya Parisada, Baleswar (For Odia Short Story), 3rd Odisha Journalist Gourav Award-2018, Keonjhar (For Journalism),Balaangi Samman-2018, Balaangi Mahotsav Samiti, Baripada (For Journalism), Prabasi Bhasha Yuva Prerana Samman-2019, The Intellects, New delhi and so many awards.
Millions of news and feature articles and exclusive news stories relating tribal lives, rivers, mountains and the nature publish in Sambad and other leading Odia news papers and magazines.
Ranjan Pradhan has written BANA DANGARARA GAPA (The books on tribal folk tales of Koraput region). He has collected above a hundred of tribal folk tales from this region. Then he thinks his another research project on Paraja tribal life and their material culture. The book PARAJA JIBANA O SANSKRUTI (in Odia language) is a masterpiece of his research carieer. This book really identifies him as a true tribal researcher. He writes many books on tribal culture and rivers of Odisha. The book AADIBASI NAACHA O GEETA, JUANG PARBAPARBANI, BAITARANI, ODISHARA NADANADEE are the masterpieces.
In the mean time, Dr. Pradhan gathers a huge numbers of tribal folk tales from Koraput region. He writes a book TALES FROM HILL AND JUNGLE. This is his first book written in English language.
Another book AEITIHYA, SANSKRUTI O PARYATANA; KEONJHAR regarding heritage, archaeology, culture and tourism of Kendujhar district is another valuable work of Mr. Pradhan. He has done an extensive work on Juang tribal group who are lived in Kenonjhar and Dhenkanal district of Odisha. Mr. Pradhan has written the book JUANGA PARBAPARBANI (an intensive research work on Juang tribes of Odisha). This book contains art, culture, ritual, tradition & festivals of the Juang tribe (PVTG). Then he has written another book GONASIKA NANDINI BAITARANEE (an intensive research work on the river Baitaranee of Odisha) in Odia language. This is Pradhan’s the best seller book and one of the popular books regarding river in India.
The book on archeology, heritage, tourism, rituals, tradition, festival and culture of Mayurbhanj district ‘’PARYATANA O PRATNATATTWA: MAYURBHANJ’’ (A massive hand book on Mayurbhanj district and Similipal Bio Sphere with thousands of attractive photos) and PRACHI UPATYAKAARE SHILA JATRA, (An Iconographic and Sculpture Study on Prachi Valley) are two serious works. Dr. Pradhan has written the most popular novels like BUDHA BALANGARA MAJHI (The boatsman of River Budhabalang), DHARANI PENU (Earth Goddess) and GOBARI NAIRA GEETA ( The Song of River Gobari).
Many of his Odia short stories and tribal features have broadcast in All India Radio. He has presented many talks in AIR. He has participated many programmes and panel discussions in Door Darshan, All India Radio and other electronics media.
Dr. Pradhan has got an opportunity to work in the Koraput tribal region. He joined at Nabarangapur as the district 
correspondent of Sambad. He worked here for a decade long and riched with much more tribal experiences here. Thousands of news features and exclusive news stories relating tribal lives are published in Sambad and other leading Odia news papers and magazines. He made an extensive tribal research orientetion during staying in Koraput. After some years of working, Pradhan started writing the tribal books of research orientetion. He published ‘Bana Dangarara Gapa’ (Tribal Folk Tales of Koraput Region). He collected above a hundred of tribal folk tales from this region. Then He published another research work PARAJA JEEBANA O SANSKRUTI (an exclusive field study on Paraja tribe). This book really identified him as a true tribal researcher. Again he published Tribal dance and song. This book is another mile stone of his research field. ‘Tales from hill and jungle’ is his first book published in English language.
PERSONAL PROFILE
Name
Dr. Ranjan Pradhan
Father’s name
Maguni Pradhan
Mother’s name
Nayana Pradhan
Family
Wife: Pragyan, Daughters: Samiksha and Suchana
Permanent Adress
Ranjan Pradhan
Home: UPATYAKAA
At: Niginipur
P.O. : Sana Jaria
Via : Jaria
Dist : Kendrapada-754216
Adress for correspondence
Senior District Correspondent
SAMBAD
Kandhamal
Fon: 09437213854 (Mob)
E-Mail
ranjan.pragyan@gmail.com
ranjan_pragyan@rediffmail.com
Website
www.ranjanpradhanwriter.com
Date Of Birth
1st May 1979
Self Sketch
Confident, hard working, sincere, honest, organised, caring
Hobbies
Writting and reading research based articles, fiction and non fiction, cinema script writting, travelling the beauties of nature, journey for new places and collecting news from different news channels.
Zodiac Sign
Libra
Motto of Life
Live with Love
Profession
Journalism
Academic Qualification
i) Bsc. Zoology (Hons), Kendrapada Autonomous College, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
ii) M.A. in Odia, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
iii ) Ph.D (Doctor in Philosophy) in Odia Language and Literature, Utkal University of Culture, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Professional Qualification
i) Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism & Mass Communication (PGJMC), IGNOU, New Delhi
ii) Master in Journalism & Mass Communication (MJMC) , North Odisha University, Baripada, Odisha
Languages Known
Odia, English, Hindi
Experiences
a) Three decade long experience in an Odia daily newspaper Sambad (Both Desk & Field)
b) Five years experience in an Odia literary magazine Abhipsa (Editorial)
c) Exclusive experiences regarding tribal lives of Koraput (Undivided), Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj and Kandhamal Region of Odisha
Awards/Felicitations
1. First Prize in state lavel Odia short story competition sponsored by Jagaruka sahitya sanskruti pratisthan, Kendrapada (1998)
2. Srusti o’ srasta literary award-2006, Umerkote, Nabarangapur (For Odia short story)
3. 23th Bhubaneswar book fair Rabi Pattanaik smruti award- 2007 (For Odia short story)
4. Lekhalekhi youth Odia short story award-2007, Bhubaneswar (For Odia short story)
5. Nirvan yuva pratibha samman-2008, Jayapur, Odisha (For Odia short story)
6. Umakanta Mohapatra smruti samman-2008, Kedar Nath Gabesana Prathisthana, Bhubaneswar (For Odia short story)
7. Travel grant -2008, Sahitya Akademi, Kolkata (For Odia short story)
8. Gouri Sankar award-2011, Shishu Kalam, Bhubaneswar (For Odia short story)
9. Paschima Aadibasi Sahitya samman-2013, Paschima Sahitya Patrika, Bhubaneswar (For Tribal Research)
10. 30th Bhubaneswar book fair Award-2014 (For the book ‘Aadibasi Nacha O’ Geeta’ (For Odia Prose and research)
11. 17th Kalinga Book Fair Award-2014 (For the Book ‘Juanga Parbaparbani’ (For Tribal Research)
12.16th Rajadhani Book Fair Award -2015, Bhubaneswar. (For the book ‘Gonasika Nandinee; Baitaranee’)
13. 19th Manthan Yuba Pratibha Award-2015, Bhubaneswar (For best Journalist)
14. Yuba Yoti Pratibha Samman-2015, By Sahara Jana Mancha, Bhubaneswar (for best Journalist)
15. Kishori Charan Puraskar-2016, Kishori Charan Smruti Sansada, Katak (For the Odia short story book ‘Bhitamin’)
16. Chintamani Behera Smruti Kabita Puraskar-2016, Udala, Mayurbhanj (For Poetry)
17. Punarnaba Sahitya Samman, Chandol, Kendrapada, 2017 (For Tribal Research)
18. Galpa Gourav Samman-2017, Pratishruti Pratisthan, Baripada, Mayurbhanj. (For Odia short story)
19. Pujya Puja Saraswata Samman-2017, Pujya Puja, Baripada, Mayurbhanj. (For Odia short story)
20. Yuva Puraskar-2017, Bharatiya Bhasha Parisad, Kolkata.
21. Hazi Asraf Alli Udaya Pratibha Puraskar-2018, Phakir Mohan Sahitya Parisada, Baleswar (For Odia Short Story)
22. 3rd Odisha Journalist Gourav Award-2018, Keonjhar
23. Balaangi Samman-2018, Balaangi Mahotsav Samiti, Baripada.
24. Prabasi Bhasha Yuva Prerana Samman-2019, The Intellects, New delhi
25. Tapasya Srujan Puraskar-2021, Tapasya Foundation Trust, Bhubaneswar
26. Akshay Upanyasa Puraskar-2022, Pratibha Ray Foundation Trust, Bhubaneswar
27. Bana Jyotsna Pustak Mela Puraskar-2022, Bana Jyotsna Sahitya Sansad, Phulbani
28. Kendrapada Jilla Sahitya Samman-2022, Kendrapada Jilla Sahitya Sansad
29. Pandit Mrutyunjay Rath Galpa Samman-2022, Nimapada Sahitya Sansad, Nimapada
30. Aartta Ballav Gabesana Puraskar-2023, Kendrapada Jilla Sahitya Parisada.
30. Kendrapada Book Fair Award-2024, KEM, Kendrapada
Research Paper Presentation
1. Paper presentation on ‘Juang Riddle: One of the significant form of the Tribal Folklore’, at Berhampur University, Berhampur, Organised by National Sahitya Akademi, Kolkata Regional Office and Berhampur University, On 13, November 2015.
2. Paper presentation on ‘Tribal Dance and Song of Koraput region: an anthropological and poetic evaluation’ at Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, Organised by Institute of Odia Studies, Cuttack and Odia Department of Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, On 25 August 2016.
3. Paper presentation on ‘Juang womens’ status in their community life: Past and Present’ at Visva Bharati (Santiniketan), W.B., Organised by Centre Of Excellence, Department of Odia, Visva-Bharati, Santi Niketan and Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Govt. of India, New Delhi, 2 March 2017.
4. Paper presentation on ‘Cultural Insights of Indian Languages; Juang Riddle : The Beauty of Odishan Tribal Oral Literature’ in a National Seminar organised by Central Hindi Directorate, New Delhi and Bharatiya Bhasha Parisad, Kolkata, 11 March 2018 at Bharatiya Bhasha Parisad, Kolkata.
5. Paper presentation on ‘Folk Literature and Exhibiting Art of Odisha’, A National Seminar organised by Odia Department of Ravanshaw University, Cuttack on 25 february 2019
6. Paper presentation on ‘Tribal Community House and Village Organisation’ at KISS University, Bhubaneswar, Organised by National Sahitya Akademi, Kolkata Regional Office and KISS University, On 26 July 2019.
7. Paper presentation on ‘Tribal Culture and Oral Tradition’ at Fakir Mohan University, Vyasa-Vihar, Baleswar Organised by Post Graduate Department of Language and Literature on 30 March 2026.
Books published
Poem (Fiction)
1.Mati gita (Odia)
(Anthology of modern Odia poems, Published by Pine Books, Cuttack, 2003)
2. Bhagabata Tungi (Odia)
(Anthology of modern Odia poems, Published by Creative Odisha, Kendrapada, 2010)
3. Aanjulaae Nibidataa (Odia)
(Modern poems collection, Published by Creative Odisha, Kendrapada, 2019)
Short Story (Fiction)
1. Tanuja balaku nei jetesabu bekaria gapa (Odia)
(Anthology of modern Odia short stories, Published by Ink Odisha, Bhubaneswar, 2004)
2. Bhitamin (Odia)
(Anthology of modern Odia short stories, Published by Paschima, Bhubaneswar, 2006)
3. Duma Debata O’ Anyaanya Gapa (Odia)
(Anthology of modern Odia short stories, Published by Creative Odisha, Kendrapada, 2017)
4. PED GAARL FREND (Odia)
(An anthology of Odia Short Stories by Ranjan Pradhan, Published by Black Eagle Books, America, 2021)
5. KUENJU (Odia)
An anthology of Odia Short Stories by Ranjan Pradhan, Published by Pen In Books, Bhubaneswar-2023)
6. MANISAKU NEI JETESABU PARAMAANU GAPA (Odia)
An anthology of Odia Short Stories by Ranjan Pradhan, Published by Purbi Publication, Bhubaneswar-2025
7. COMBING OPERATION
An anthology of Odia Short Stories by Ranjan Pradhan, Published by Paschima Publication, 2025
8. MANISAKU NEI JETESABU PARAMANU GAPA
An anthology of Odia Short Stories by Ranjan Pradhan, Published by Paschima Publication, 2025.
9. DAASA KHILARA GHODAA
An anthology of Odia Short Stories by Ranjan Pradhan, Published by Paschima Publication, 2026.
Novel (Fiction)
1. Budhabalangara Majhi (Odia Novel)
(A Novel written by Ranjan Pradhan, Published by Creative Odisha, Kendrapada, 2019)
2. Dharani Penu (Odia Novel)
(A Novel written by Ranjan Pradhan, Published by Pakshighara Prakashani, Bhubaneswar, 2023)
3. Gobari Naira Geeta (Odia Novel)
(A Novel written by Ranjan Pradhan, Published by Published by Paschima Publication, Bhubaneswar, 2024)
Research Works (Non Fiction)
1. Nabarangapur Zillara Sanskruti O’ Parayatan (Odia)
(Encyclopaedia on Nabarangapur District, Published by PRAGYAN PARIMITA, Kendrapada, 2007)
2. Bana Dangarara Gapa (Odia)
(Anthology of Tribal folk tales of Koraput region, Published by PRAGYAN PARIMITA, Kendrapada, 2007)
3. Paraja Jeeban O Sanskruti (Odia)
(Tribal Research on the Paraja Tribe of Koraput region, Odisha, Published by PRAGYAN PARIMITA, Kendrapada, 2007)
4. Tales From Hill and Jungle (English)
(Anthology of Tribal folk tales of Koraput region, Published by Creative Odisha, Kendrapada, 2009)
5. Aadibasi Naacha O Geeta (Odia)
(Book on tribal dances and songs, Published by Creative Odisha, Kendrapada, 2012)
6.Eitihya, Sanskruti O Paryatana: Kendujhar (Odia)
(Encyclopaedia on Keonjhar district, Published by Creative Odisha, Kendrapada, 2012)
7. Juang Parbaparbani (Odia)
(Research based field study on art, culture, ritual, tradition & festivals of Juang Tribal People, Published by Creative Odisha, Kendrapada, 2014)
8. Gonasika Nandinee, Baitaranee: A river journey of a journalist (Odia)
(A massive colourful book on the river Baitaranee, Published by Creative Odisha, Kendrapada, 2015)
9. Paryatana O Pratnatatwa: Mayurbhanj (Odia)
(Encyclopaedia on Mayurbhanj district and Similipal Bio-Sphere, Published by Creative Odisha, Kendrapada, 2017)
10. Odishara NadaNadee (Odia)
(Book on River Research of Odisha, Published by Tapasya Foundation (Pen in Books), Bhubaneswar, 2022)
11. JANAJAATI ODISHA (Tribal Odisha)
Tribal Research Book Published by Satya Narayan Book Store, Binod Bihari, Cuttack, 2026
12. Praachee Upatyakaare Shila Jatraa (Odia)
(An Iconographic and Sculpture Study on Prachi Valley, Published by Creative Odisha, Niginipur, Sanajaria, Kendrapada, Odisha, waiting for release)
13. Bathudi Maukhika Sahitya Parampara (Bathudi Oral Literature)
(Tribal Research, waiting for release)
News paper & Magazine writing
About millions of exclusive news stories & field features, short stories, tribal features, poems & other features are published in many leading Odia literary magazines and newspapers including Sambad where the author is working. Dr. Pradhan is a well-known tribal and river research expert in Odisha. He takes part in so many panel discussions in ‘Door Darshan’, All India Radio and in other Electronics Media.
