Anjali Tripathy
The stories included in this collection have been systematically selected from various notable anthologies of Odia short fiction, each contributing to the recontextualization of myth within contemporary literary frameworks. Gopinath Mohanty’s 'Hail to Kichak' (Jay Kichak) is sourced from Gopinath Mohanty Shrestha Galpa (The Best Stories of Gopinath Mohanty), edited by Jatindra Mohanty and published by Chaturanga Prakashani (1996). Hemant Kumar Das’ 'I Am Alone in the Hermitage' (Ashrama re Ekaki Mu) is derived from his collection Hey Surya, Hey Akasha (Oh Sun, Oh Sky), published by Anand Prakashan, Cuttack (2001). Pratibha Ray’s 'Devaki' (Devaki) and Rabi Patnaik’s 'Sterile Gandhari' (Bandhya Gandhari) are drawn from the anthology Samasamayika Odia Galpamala (Contemporary Odia Short Story Collection), edited by Bibhuti Pattanaik and published by the National Book Trust (2000). Ratnakar Chaini’s 'Yashoda' (Yashoda) is extracted from his short story collection Rutu ra Nama Pipasa (The Name of the Season is Thirst), published by Odisha Book Store (1980). Padmaja Pal’s 'The Sorrow of Chandrasena' (Chandrasena ra Dukha) has been selected from Shreshtha Odia Galpa Sankalana, compiled by Mahapatra Nilamani Sahoo and published by the Odisha Sahitya Academy (1985). Ramachandra Behera’s 'Gopapur' (Gopapur) is sourced from his anthology of the same title, published by Bidya Prakashan (2003). Chandra Sekhar Rath’s 'Ravan' (Ravana) and 'Sunset of Yadu Dynasty' (Yadu Bansha re Suryasta) are drawn from Chandra Sekhar Rath Galpa Samahara (The Short Story Collection of Chandra Sekhar Rath), volumes 1 and 2 respectively, published by Swastik, Bhubaneswar (1982). Uma Shankar Mishra’s 'The Wheel of Salvation' (Moksha Chakra) is derived from Swadhinottara Odia Khyudra Galpa (Post-Independence Odia Short Stories), part 1, compiled by Satakadi Hota and published by the Sahitya Akademi (2002). 'Whisper of the Setting Moons' (Asta Jahnara Prasatabana) by Gourahari Das has been personally collected from the author for inclusion in the collection.
