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Gopal Chhotray
Gopal Chhotray was born on 1916 in Puranagarh village of Jagatsinghpur district in Orissa. He is a pioneer of the modern trend in Oriya drama. He was an Oriya author known for his contribution to musical and radio drama. Chhotray is a keen observer and witness of all special features of Odisan society and tradition. Immensely popular and prolific, most of his themes and plots have a social bearing. He writes with such rare sensitivity that the reader and audience get a consummate experience in the art form. He has been steadfast in giving an authentic interpretation of man as a fellow-being. His dramatic diction has all along remained simple yet powerful. He is credited with having revived the Geetinatya or ‘plays in verses' genre in Orissa in late forties that ushered a renewed interest in the rich Orissan performing arts. An intrinsic quality of his plays lies in the manner in which the speech of the actor is laced with satire and humor. This endearing element has equally connected him with not only his intellectual mates but also the common man on the street.

A pioneer in the history of Oriya drama, Chhotray wrote over 500 radio plays, over 25 film scripts and over 100 short plays. He had a long association with the All India Radio, Cuttack, Orissa and went on to write many memorable plays, operas, short-plays and screenplays and 8 of them have been translated into Hindi, English and Telugu.He is a recipient of both central Sahitya Akademi and state Sahitya Akademi awards and has also translated major Hindi, Marathi and Gujarati plays into Oriya. His important works are: Sahadarmini (1941), Panchanatika (1993), Na Pahu Rati (1971), Kapatapasha (1989), Hasyarasara nataka (1981), and Babu Candramani (1992).

His first play, “Sahadharmani” in 1941, written for a competition arranged by the national war effort, was adjudged the best, encouraging him to enter Oriya theatre. In the mid 1950s, Chhotray joined All India Radio, Cuttack, as an employee, eventually penning over 200 radio plays that made him popular throughout Odisha. For the first time, he introduced radio serials, “Purapari Paribarika”.

He is a recipient of both Central Sahitya Akademi and State Sahitya Akademi awards, Kendriya Sangeet Natak Akademi and several prestigious awards. He has also translated major Hindi, Marathi and Gujarati plays into Oriya.