Dr. Itirani Samanta Entrepreneur, Creative Writer, Journalist, Editor (premier monthly family magazine of the state), Publisher, Director (Kadambini Media Pvt. Ltd.), National Award Winning Film Producer, Reputed Television Producer, Interviewer and Social Worker.

1 Dr. Itirani Samanta

A women entrepreneur who is a Creative Writer, Journalist, Editor, Publisher, Director (Kadambini Media), National Award Winning Film Producer, Reputed Television Producer, Interviewer and Social Worker. Nationality : Indian Village : Kalarabank Dist : State : PIN : 754132 Education : • Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering • Post Graduate Degree in Odia Literature • Masters Degree in Mass Communications and Advanced Journalism from , Odisha • Ph.D in literature from Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan

Residence: Nilima Nilaya, 421/2359, Padmabati Vihar Sailashree Vihar, - 751 021, Odisha. Cell: +91 9437014119, 9937220229 Office: Kadambini Villa, 421/2358, Padmabati Vihar Sailashree Vihar, Bhubaneswar - 751 021, Odisha. Office: +91 7328841932, 0674-2740519/2741260 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.kadambini.org Facebook ID: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008486592503 Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/ItiSamantaOfficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itisamanta/?hl=en

2 Dr. Itirani Samanta, an eminent writer, journalist, editor, publisher and national award winning film producer occupies a very signficant position in contemporary Odisha. Writing is her first love. In fact, from early childhood, she started cuddling up emotions and scribbled down her feelings on a regular basis. That in later stage culminated into stories, novels, poems, dramas, features, articles of social relevance, women empowerment & gender related issues. She has been continuously writing her editorials in ‘The Kadambini’, the most popular family magazine in Odisha on women related issues, women empowerment and current social problems since two decade. She rediscovered various facets of characters portrayed in the great epics of ‘Ramayan’ and ‘Mahabharat’. She flourished as a writer, braving many distractions that came in her life. Her first book ‘Tathaapi’ is a collection of short stories came out in the year 2001. Since then, she never looked back. In a literary carrier of more than twenty five years she has produced 20 books to her credit. Her books have received rave reviews and have been appreciated by readers as well. Dr. Samanta’s continued popularity amongst innumerable readers hinges on her series of editorials. These editorials in ‘The Kadambini’ are the interpretations and relevance of women characters in the popular epics like ‘Ramayan’ and ‘Mahabharat’ in today’s age. One definitely finds a sustained effort by her to draw the contours of modernity which accommodates strong female characters of our ancient society. Above all she is a self-made women who has dedicated her whole life for literature, art and social work.

3 EARLY LIFE Dr. Itirani Samanta was born on 1970 in a non-descript village Kalarabanka a rural hinterland in Cuttack district in the state of Odisha. She is the youngest of seven siblings of Nilimarani Samanta and Anadi Charan Samanta. She was neither fortunate to grow up with her father, who passed away while she was only four months old nor have a family income to support her early education and was brought up by her mother amidst abject poverty and sticky social challenges. Dwelling on margins the lives of herself and her six siblings could be hardly described as decent. The cemented reality of poverty in her life never deterred her from getting an education. With her academic excellence and daily errands or petty activities to augment her family’s income she stubbornly faced poverty at unimaginable lengths.

EDUCATION Dr. Itirani Samanta pursued her primary education in her village school at Kalarabanka and after that shifted to Cuttack and passed High School Certificate Examination from Khan Nagar High School. After her High School education she took admission in Ramadevi Women’s College, Bhubaneswar for perusing Higher Secondary education in Science. Soon after the completion of +2 science she joined Electronics & Tele-communication Engineering course to financially support her family. But she had a strong desire since her School days to become a writer, so her literary calling passion gained over her and after completion of engineering degree again she changed her academic pursuit to literature which brought her a meritorious Post Graduate Degree in Odia Literature and a lambent Masters Degree in Mass Communications and Advanced Journalism from Utkal University, Odisha. Later, she did her Ph.D in literature from Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan. She was also awarded Junior and prestigious Senior Fellowship of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.

4 Carrier as Entrepreneur

While Dr. Itirani Samanta climbed the scholarly career in literature and communication studies, the inner calling of the creative desire, forced her to dedicate herself for promotion of literature, art, culture and heritage of Odisha. The result of this alchemy of creative spirit and literary entrepreneurship led to the establishment of Kadambini Media Pvt. Ltd. with the sole objective of promoting art, culture, literature and cinema in Odisha and India as well. Dr. Itirani Samanta has proved herself as a successful entrepreneur in the field of literature, education, art, culture and film production. She has received the women entrepreneurship award.

KADAMBINI MEDIA PRIVATE LIMITED (A vision for uplifting Art, Culture and Literature) From a modest start as the publisher of a family magazine, the organisation today has emerged as a reputed publication house publishing novels, short stories, poetry collections, feature collections and translations of literary masterpieces from other Indian and foreign languages. Dr. Itirani Samanta, the director of Kadambini Media is a woman with a dream. ‘The Kadambini’, a premier monthly family magazine and ‘The Kunikatha’, a magazine for children & youth, are two unique products of this media house run by Dr. Itirani Samanta, who also serves as the editor of these two largest Odia magazines. ‘The Kadambini’ is her brainchild through which she dreamt of ushering in a creative renaissance of sorts in the state. As an educational entrepreneur she is successfully managing two schools in her native village Kalarabank.

5 Contribution to Odia Language and Literature

In 2000 AD when most of the leading odia magazines were struggling to get published regularly. Some of the magazine publishers were also closed their publication house. Which resulted a great loss for propagation of odia language and literature. Because magazines are the breeding ground of language, literature and culture. At that point of time Dr. Itirani Samanta took a bold step in publishing a colourful family magazine ‘The Kadambini’ which set a new era in the history of odia magazines. Her only resources was her passion, determination and hard work to bring the magazine up to the state. ‘The Kadambini’ is the largest circulated (certified by ABC) premier monthly family magazine of Odisha with the largest readership. A comprehensive family magazine ‘The Kadambini’ has captured the mindscape of all sections of people of the state. It has also created it’s space in the heart of Odia's residing in the country and abroad. This attractive monthly magazine with its broad content-mix and quality printing, caters to the taste of all cultured Odia's regardless of age, gender and income level. ‘The Kadambini’ offers something for everyone in the family. Each issue contains cover-feature on topical social and cultural issues, current social problems, lifestyle and fashion trends, movies, television, fiction, poetry, serial novels, Odia translations classics from other languages, sports, health, beauty, cookery and household tips. The magazine hits the stands with unfailing regularity on the 1st week of every month. Apart from the regular issues ‘The Kadambini’ brings out four special issues every year. Each issue, be it regular or special is a keepsake- a glossy work of art with multicoloured layouts so beautiful that it catches attention of all section of readers. Needless to say, with so much going for it ‘The Kadambini’ provides the dream vehicle for all to access the Odia culture psyche.

6 ‘The Kunikatha’, a monthly family magazine for the children and teenagers marks Kadambini Media’s commitment for future generations. It has got all the elements of information, entertainment and education for children of modern times. It contains stories, poems, jokes, cartoons, quizzes, G.K., topics on science, music, cinema, arts and literature. All its pages are attractive with multi- coloured layouts, beautiful sketches and photographs. ‘The Kunikatha’ maintains timely publication, better quality and rich content. Now, it reaches almost among all the families of ‘The Kadambini’ subscribers. Besides, it has caught attention of many young Odia children and teenagers in the State and outside. Kadambini Media has been established to achieve excellence in publication of magazines, books and production of audio, audiovisual programmes and films for upliftment of art, culture and literature. It has created a platform where the creative potential inherited in every individual can be realised. It has also provided space for eminent people in the field of art, literature, social service, education, media, administration and industries etc. Kadambini Media has been providing a platform to young people to showcase their talents in the field ‘Kathantara’ of art, literature and education etc. As a step towards fulfilling Kadambini Media’s commitment for literature, it has published / is publishing books with high literary value authored by eminent as well as young writers. As a part of its endeavour, Media has also ventured into the audio-visual medium. So far it has produced several music albums and Video CDs of popular songs. Kadambini Media also has marked its debut in films with its maiden production ‘Kathantara’ (Another Story), a film with 1999 Super-cyclone as its backdrop. ‘Kathantara’ went on to bag 8 awards in the 18th Odisha State Film Awards-2005 and Silver Lotus for the Best Odia Feature Film- 2006 in the 53rd National Film Awards. It also participated and

7 received critical acclaims in several National and International Film Festivals. Media’s second feature film ‘Krantidhara’ (Coup de grace) has based on the

‘Krantidhara’ struggle of women in grass root politics which has been highly acclaimed by critics and audiences in various national and international film festivals and owned 3 Awards in the Odisha State Film Awards-2014. Another short film by Kadambini Media ‘Kahani Nuhen’ was adjudged the Best Short Film at the 1st Odisha State Tele-Film Award. Apart from these, the organisation is also producing documentaries, tele-films, tele-serials, music videos, reality shows, and many other entertaining programmes for different channels. Kadambini media in association with Kalinga TV – a reputed channel has produced a series of quality programmes related to Odisha’s art, culture and literature. It is the first media house in the country to produce a series of programmes depicting life and struggle of transgenders ‘Bhina Manisha Bhina Katha’.

KADAMBINI LITERARY FESTIVAL Kadambini Media has created a possibility of huge gathering and interaction of literary people, writers, editors, poets, publishers, readers, intellectuals, artists, research scholars and students. Every year it organises Kadambini Literary Festival inviting veterans from Odisha and outside to share their experience and to discuss on the various issues and trends. This is a unique literary festival to revive memories, meet old friends and to create new friends. Its single ambition has been to provide immortally reach Odia literature and culture a platform to flaunt its grandiloquent depth. This is a daylong function from 8 AM to 8 PM with a large number of audiences (around 7000). Year after year the participation is increasing and now it has become the Sahitya Kumbha of Odisha.

8 In the second phase of Kadambini Literary Festival, ‘Kabi O Kabita’ session is organised. In this session, the renowned poets from all over the spheres gather together and recite their own unpublished poems. The ‘Kabi O Kabita’ session of this Kadambini Literary Festival provides a scope to all the eminent poets to enlight the audiences about their own creativity as a poet. In the third phase, ‘The Kunikatha’ organises ‘Kunakuni Mela’ (Children’s Fair) in state level among the school students. Wherein children’s from all over Odisha and outside the state participate in the dance and song competition to showcase their talent. The main focus and aim of Kunakuni Mela is to encourage literature, song and dance among the young talents and to recognise them.

KADAMBINI PATRIKAA HAATA (An unique & only magazine fair of the state) Apart from the above routine functions, Kadambini Media believes that magazines are the conservators of a Nation’s literary and cultural heritage. With this in view Kadambini Media in the year 2009 launched a unique magazine exhibition ‘Kadambini Patrikaa Haata’ (unique & only magazine fair of the state) inaugurated by the Hon'ble Ex-Governor of Odisha Shri M.C. Bhandare. The idea was to facilitate the exhibition and sale of all the magazines of the state whether in print or out of print under one roof. For the first time in the state of Odisha almost all magazines of different kinds participated in this function. It has become an annual event of magazine display and sale. Kadambini made all the arrangements from providing free space and food for the participants free of cost. Pleasantly surprising everybody the Haata become a huge success from the start itself. It has become an annual event of magazine display and sale. ‘The kadambini’ hosts the function and provides free space for stalls. A day long exhibition comprising of more than 500 participants goes on with enthusiastic

9 feelings of all participants. It is highly appreciated by the illustrious personalities present on the occasion. Year after year Dr. Itirani Samanta organising the haata in the month of January coinciding with the Kadambini Literary Festival. It is usually inaugurated by the distinguished guests and the same has been highly appreciated by the illustrious personalities present on the occasion. The success of the haata, where the editors gets a chance to interact with his readers directly has tempted the magazine owners of other states to participate in it. Their number is also rising every year.

PRESENTATION OF AWARDS IN DIFFERENT FIELDS The Kadambini Media has instituted several awards in different fields as a mark of recognition given in honour of different achievments. • Nilimarani Sahitya Samman: From 2019 onwards in Kadambini Literary Festival, prestigious ‘Nilimarani Sahitya Samman’ (at national level) is bestowed on a person for his/her lifetime contribution in the field of Indian literature. The award carries a cash prize of rupees five lakhs, emblem, shawl and certificate. • Kadambini Sahitya Samman: ‘Kadambini Sahitya Samman’ (at state level) is bestowed on a person in recognition of his/her contribution to the field of Odia literature. The award carries a cash prize of rupees one lakh, emblem, shawl and certificate. • Kadambini Sampadak Samman: This Award is bestowed on a person in recognition of his/her continuous effort in magazine editing. The award carries a cash prize of rupees ten thousand, emblem, shawl and certificate. • Kadambini Sahitya Sambardhana (Felicitation in the field of literature): Four veteran writers are felicitated in recognition of their contribution to the field of Odia literature. The felicitation carries a cash prize of rupees ten thousand, emblem, shawl and certificate to each writers.

10 • Kadambini Samman: ‘The Kadambini’ on 2nd of July each year, celebrates its birth anniverssary fuction. In this occasion the prestigious ‘Kadambini Samman’ is bestowed to an individual for his/her eye catching contribution in the field of art, culture, literature, social service, education, industries, media, administration, agriculture and politics. The award carries a cash prize of rupees fifty thousand, emblem, shawl and certificate. ‘The Kadambini’ has instituted several awards for rising talents in various fields and honour them during its birth anniversary function. • Kadambini Galpa Samman (Kadambini Story Award): This award is presented to eminent story writer in recognition of his/her contribution to the Odia literature. The award carries a cash prize of rupees ten thousand, emblem, shawl and certificate. • Kadambini Kabita Samman (Kadambini Poem Award): This award is presented to eminent poet in recognition of his/her contribution to the field of Odia literature. The award carries a cash prize of Rupees ten thousand, emblem, shawl and certificate. • Kadambini Anubad Samman (Kadambini Translation Award): This award is presented to eminent translator in recognition of his/her contribution to the field of Odia literature. The award carries a cash prize of rupees five thousand, emblem, shawl and certificate. • Kadambini Feature Samman (Kadambini Feature Award): This award is presented to eminent feature writer in recognition of his/her contribution to the field of Odia literature. The award carries a cash prize of rupees five thousand, emblem, shawl and certificate. • Kadambini Prachhadsilpi Samman (Kadambini Cover Model Award): This award is presented to best model appeared in the cover page of ‘The Kadambini’. The award carries special gift, shawl and certificate.

11 • Kadambini Ama Roshei Puraskar (Kadambini Cookery Award): This award is presented to a women for her achievement of excellence in cooking. The award carries a cash prize of rupees ten thousand, shawl and certificate. • Kadambini Priya Pathak Sambardhana (Kadambini Reader Award): This award is presented to magazine reader of the year. The award carries special gift, shawl and certificate. • Kunikatha Priya Lekhak Samman (Popular Children Writer Award): This award is presented to best writer of the year for his/her writings in ‘The Kunikatha’. The award carries a cash prize of rupees five thousand, shawl and certificate. • Kunikatha Kunipratibha Puraskar (Kunikatha Young Talent Award): This award is presented to a child for his/her talent towards writing in ‘The Kunikatha’. The award carries a cash prize of rupees five thousand, shawl and certificate. • Kadambini Galpa Unmesh Puraskar (Kadambini Emerging Story Writer Award): This award is presented upon 3 young story writers. The award carries a cash prize of rupees five thousand, shawl and certificate each respectively. • Kadambini Kabya Unmesh Puraskar (Kadambini Emerging Poet Award): This award is presented upon 3 young poet. The award carries a cash prize of rupees five thousand, shawl and certificate each respectively.

12 Carrier in Journalism

Before Joining the Master’s programme in journalism, Dr. Itirani Samanta had been practising journalism as the Editor of ‘The Kadambini’ a monthly feature magazine. She used to write features on various social literal, cultural and socio political issues. Some of her features also publised in different news papers and magazines of the state. She has got the art of interviewing people and bring out different facets of their personalities. Since the begining of her journalistic carrier she has covered hundreds of people from different spheres and all works of life. Apart from the above she conducted many television shows as a Programe producer, content designer, interviewer and moderator.

13 Creative Writing

TATHAAPI (Short Story) Publisher: Kadambini Media Pvt. Ltd. First Edition: July 2001, Second Edition: July 2005 Third Edition: July 2010, Fourth Edition: April 2015 Page: 72 Price: 40.00

ISBN 978-93-85350-00-9

It is a Collection of short stories written by the authoress at different times. Very brilliantly told, the stories in the book deal with the torture and trauma of women and their struggle to find their self esteem.

ITI TORA LIPSA (Short Story) Publisher: Kadambini Media Pvt. Ltd. First Edition: December 2012 Page: 232 Price: 145.00

ISBN 978-81-920553-7-4

This book also contains short stories. The central characters of all these stories are women. With pain, pleasure, suffering, love, hate, treachery, conflicts and erosion of values in the back ground and glued to the tradition and culture, these stories tell us about the struggle of women for self-liberation.

14 JHADA PARARA SURYA O KRANTIDHARA (Short Story & Film Script) Publisher: Kadambini Media Pvt. Ltd. First Edition: June 2017 Page: 176 Price: 150.00

ISBN 978-93-85350-05-4

'Jhada Parara Surya', a story of Dr. Iti Samanta from her book ‘Iti Tora Lipsa’, on woman liberation is well appreciated by readers and critics. It's strong story line and poetic narratives compel the readers to go through it. Later on, a film namely, ‘Krantidhara’ has been made on the story. Directed by Himanshu Sekhar Khatua a national award winning director. The film has got many awards and accolades. Both the story and the screenplay of ‘Krantidhara’ have been compiled in this book.

15 NIRABA ALAPA (Novel) Publisher: Kadambini Media Pvt. Ltd. First Edition: April 2013 Page: 152 Price: 115.00

ISBN 978-81-920553-8-1

It is the story of a blind girl Adya and her best friend ‘Mahanadi’. In spite of her sufferings throughout, she never compromises with the values of life. Her lover deceives her. Still she remains calm and compassionate and struggles hard to keep her self esteem high.

SAKUNTALA RA JHIA (Novel) Publisher: Kadambini Media Pvt. Ltd. First Edition: November 2017 Page: 256 Price: 200.00

ISBN 978-93-85350-07-8

The novel depicts the life & struggle of a single parent (mother) for upbringing and educating her daughter. Sakuntala a strong willed woman boldly denies in putting her daughter's father's name in the school admission register. In her opinion, her child should not be recognised by the name of the person who doesn’t want her to come to the world and do not have any contribution towards her upbringing.

16 SHAKUNTALA’S DAUGHTER (Novel) Publisher: Authorspress First Edition: 2019 Page: 317 Price: 395.00

ISBN 978-93-89110-24-1

Dr. Iti Samanta’s second novel Shakuntala's Daughter carries an important and novel message. Women are the perfect symbol of love, affection, sacrifice, tolerance and sympathy. But a woman's self-esteem always comes first. Her self-esteem means more than anything else to woman. And shakuntala's daughter is its perfect example. We believe that this emotional novel carries a new message which will be popular among the readers because of its newness and story value. 'Shakuntala's Daughter' is translated from her original Odia novel 'Sakluntala ra Jhia'. It is published through Authorspress publications.

17 Editorial Collections

ITIBRUTI (Editorial Collection, Part-I) Publisher: Kadambini Media Pvt. Ltd. First Edition: January 2006 Second Edition: January 2015 Page: 64 Price: 40.00

ISBN 978-93-85350-01-06

This is a compilation of the editorial pieces of the most popular Odia monthly, ‘The Kadambini’. Penned by Dr. Samanta as is editor. Spanning for a period from July 2000 to June 2005 these articles authoritatively comment on various social and cultural aspects.

ITIBRUTI (Editorial Collection, Part-2) Publisher: Kadambini Media Pvt. Ltd. First Edition: July 2010 Page: 96 Price: 50.00

ISBN 978-93-85350-01-06

This is a book of editorials of the largest circulated monthly of Odisha 'The Kadambini' from July 2005 to June 2010. Widely accepted and very well appreciated by the readers, these articles speak on various social, cultural and contemporary topics.

18 Literary Criticism

MUDRITA NAYIKA (The Thesis) Publisher: Kadambini Media Pvt. Ltd. First Edition: July 2019 Page: 464 Price: 450.00

ISBN 978-93-85350-13-9

MUDRITA NAYIKA (Imprinted Heroines) is a remarkable research thesis on the topic women characters in Odia novels. The aesthetical analysis of multifarious women characters depicted in Odia novels in height of modern critical theory with microscopic vision made the work more effective and attractive. In different chapters significant aspects like theory of characterisation, the nature and features of women characters, the celebrated women characters of world famous novels and vivid description of women characters in hundred years of Odia novels with appropriate examples and references are valuable and useful for students and scholars. Dr. Iti Samanta, a well known short story writer, novelist and illustrious editor of the most popular family magazine in Odia has written this creative criticism in her beautiful story telling method with penetrative language to enable the readers to elicit aesthetic pleasure.

19 KATHAARE KATHAARE UPANYAASA RE NAARICHARITRA (A collection of research oriented interviews, Part-I) Publisher: Kadambini Media Pvt. Ltd. First Edition: January 2011 Page: 400 Price: 225.00

ISBN 978-81-920553-0-5

This is a research based interview book by the authoress. In the book, the interviewer, Dr. Samanta has tried to capture the mood and psyche of twenty two novelists and has put before the readers their views and writings on women. A unique book in itself, this gives a lot of information about the authors, their characters in the book, their views and opinions on women, men, society, and life etc.

KATHAARE KATHAARE UPANYAASA RE NAARICHARITRA (A collection of research oriented interviews, Part-II) Publisher: Kadambini Media Pvt. Ltd. First Edition: Srigundicha Rathajatra, 2012 Page: 342 Price: 200.00

ISBN 978-81-920553-1-2

This is the second part of Kathare Kathare Upanyasa re NariCharitra Containing interviews of twenty two authors. They include celebrated novelists like Mohapatra Nilamani Sahu, Shantanu Kumar Acharya, Srinibas Udgata, Kanakalata Mohanty, Padmaja Pal and others. Here, in the book authors have spoken up their mind on women and the society.

20 Feature Collection and Interviews PRASANGA GUCHHA (A collection of Features) Publisher: Kadambini Media Pvt. Ltd. First Edition: January 2018 Page: 832, Price: 500.00

ISBN 978-93-85350-08-5

It’s a collection of features on various topics based on current, social & cultural issues, life-style and fashion trends, movies and television, fiction, poetry, serial novels, Odia translations classics from other languages, sports, health, beauty, cookery and household tips by Dr. Iti Samanta published in ‘The Kadambini’, the premier monthly family magazine of the state.

KATHABARTA (A Collection of Interviews) Publisher: Kadambini Media Pvt. Ltd. First Edition: July 2017 Page: 576, Price: 350.00

ISBN 978-93-85350-06-1

Leading Monthly magazine of Odisha, ‘The Kadambini’, Consistently associates itself with people from all walks of life. Be they writers, intellectuals, politicians, bureaucrats or common people. It shares their opinion and views on various aspects of life, society, literature, culture, environment etc. Through interviews to its readers in the magazine. It covers almost all areas of the society and life. This is a compilation of those interviews done by Dr. Iti Samanta and is a unique one to be referred by research scholars and many others.

21 Children Literature

KUNAKUNINKU CHITHI (Collection of Letters)

Volume - 1 Volume - 2 Volume - 3 Volume - 4 First Edition: January 2019 First Edition: January 2019 First Edition: January 2019 First Edition: January 2019 Page: 98 Page: 98 Page: 98 Page: 98 Price: 220.00 Price: 220.00 Price: 220.00 Price: 220.00

ISBN 978-93-85350-09-2 ISBN 978-93-85350-10-8 ISBN 978-93-85350-11-5 ISBN 978-93-85350-12-2

This book is a collection of letters written by Dr. Iti Samanta to the small & young children which are regularly published in the ‘The Kunikatha’, a premier monthly magazine for children & youth in which each letter gives an informative, enlighting and advisory message to the growing youth. The book is published through Kadambini Media Pvt. Ltd. in four parts.

22 Compilation

CHARCHAARE CHANDRASEKHAR (Book of Essays) Publisher: Kadambini Media Pvt. Ltd. First Edition: 29 October 2012 Page: 392 Price: 240.00

ISBN 978-81-920553-4-3

This is a book of discussion on the great story teller, orator, educationist and intellectual of Odisha, Chandra Sekhar Rath. Established writers and intellectuals have contributed their scholarly pieces of writing for this book discussing various aspects of his writing and persona. They include, Mahapatra Nilamani Sahu, Asit Kabi, Dasarathi Das, Sanghamitra Mishra, Rabi Patnayak, Jibanananda Pani and may others. Dr. Iti Samanta has edited the book.

23 KADAMBINI AAMA ROSEI (Collection of recipes)

Volume - 1 Volume - 2 Volume - 3 First Edition: 2007 First Edition: 2012 First Edition: 2014 Forth Edition: 2017 Forth Edition: 2017 Forth Edition: 2017 Page: 66 Page: 82 Page: 82 Price: 100.00 Price: 100.00 Price: 100.00

ISBN 978-93-85350-09-2 ISBN 978-93-85350-04-07 ISBN 978-81-920553-2-9

A very popular section in the most popular monthly of Odisha. 'The Kadambini' is its recipe section. In past seventeen years the magazine has published many recipes in its pages. The range is vast. From Khichdi to Biriyani, cake to piza and from Idli to chowmin, it has published almost all the dishes that are seen in India homes. All these recipes are edited and compiled by Dr. Samanta in 3 volumes; Kadambini Ama Rosei 1st part, Kadambini Ama Rosei 2nd part and Kadambini Ama Rosei 3rd part. These books are published through Kadambini Media Pvt. Ltd.

24 Filmography

Feature Film KATHANTARA (Another Story, 2005) Producer: Dr. Iti Samanta

Film is the most powerful medium of expression. Kadambini Media Pvt. Ltd. has stepped into films with its debut production ‘Kathantara’ (Another Story) Directed by Himansu Khatua based on the aftermath tragedy of Super-cyclone. The Protagonist of the film, Kalpana a second generation refugee from East Bengal struggles after losing her husband and family in the 1999 Super-Cyclone. Deepankar a TV reporter from Bangladesh offers to marry the young widow. But Kalpana turns down the offer which needs moving out to the land of their forefathers. She stays back in her adopted homeland despite serious adversities including deportation threat. Kalpana fights back for her birthright.

25 Highly acclaimed in several Film Festivals:  5th Asian Film Festival, Mumbai on October (12-19) 2006.  12th Kolkata Film Festival, Kolkata on 17th November 2006.  11th International Film Festival, Kerala on 13th December 2006.  4th Cine India International Film Festival, Noida, UP on 28th FEB 2007.  1st International Film Festival, Hyderabad on 27th March 2007.  Indian Film Festival (‘Bollywood and beyond’) in Stuttgart, Germany on 15th July, 2007. On receiving National Film Award  South Asian Film Festival, Bangladesh, 2007. from Hon’ble Dr. Prativa Patil, former President of India

Awards:  Silver lotus for Best Oriya Feature Film- 53rd National Film Award – 2006  8 nos. Odisha State Film Awards – 2005 : 1. Mohan Sundar Dev Goswami Award for Best Feature Film 2. Best Director 3. Best Story 4. Best Supporting Actor 5. Best Supporting Actress 6. Best Music 7. Best Cinematography 8. Best Audiography On receiving Odisha State Film Award from Hon’ble Rameswar Thakur, former Governor of Odisha  Best Actress Award – Cine India International Film Festival

26 Feature Film Krantidhara (Coup de Grace, 2014) Based on the story ‘Jhadaparara Surya’ by Dr. Iti Samanta

She is the proverbial daughter-in-law that anyone could aspire for. In a family of half a dozen individuals, the entire home-front is taken care of by her with diligence and compassion. Apart from the elderly parents-in-law and two primary school-going children; a boy and a girl, Pratignya, in her early thirties has the onerous task to reform her unscrupulous husband, Abhay, the local Sarpanch. A typical male chauvinist, he is inclined to heckle, hector and even manhandle his wife. Pratignya tends to take everything in her stride. ‘Krantidhara’ (Coup de Grace, 2014) deals with the travails of a much-harried yet consideration

27 housewife, but through realistic presentation as opposed to the hackneyed, stereotyped portrayals. ‘Krantidhara’ has participated in many international film festivals like: Screened in the competitive section at the 7th Bengaluru International Film Festival-2014, Bengaluru; Selected in the Indian Panorama Section of 12th Chennai International Film Festival-2014, Chennai; 13th Third Eye Asian Film Festival-2015, Mumbai. Awards:  3 nos. Odisha State Film Awards – 2014: 1. Best Feature Film Award received by Iti Samanta 2. Best Story Award to Iti Samanta 3. Best Actress. On receiving Odisha State Film Award for Best Feature Film

On receiving Odisha State Film Award for Best Story

28 Short Film: ‘Kahani Nuhen’ (Not a fiction) Short Film ‘Kahani Nuhen’ which is produced by Dr. Iti Samanta received the Best Tele Film Award-2013 from the Culture Department, Govt. of Odisha. The film is based on her own story.

Tele Film: ‘Taapoi’ Tele film 'Taapoi' which was directed and produced by Dr. Iti Samanta received a state award in acting category and appreciated by audience and critics.

Educational Film: ‘Chithhi’ & ‘Kanyaaratna’ Dr. Iti Samanta has also produced and directed two educational films titled ‘Chithhi’ & ‘Kanyaaratna’.

Play: ‘Kaanta-Kaantaa’ A play titiled ‘Kaanta-Kaantaa’ has been staged adopted from the original short story written by Dr. Iti Samanta, liked and praised by critic in large.

CDs and Audio-Video Documentary: Making of many music CDs and audio-video documentaries for Govt. On receiving Odisha State Film Award for Best Telefilm of Odisha.

29 Television Programme

Concept and Producer: Dr. Iti Samanta

 ‘Bhinna Manisha Bhinna Katha’ (An unique television series on lives of Transgenders)  ‘Kadambini Ama Patrika’ (A weekly literary television magazine)  ‘Kahani Gita Pachhara’ (The untold story behind popular Odia songs)  ‘Katha Apanka Pasandara’ (A television show to know celebrities of various fields through their favourable choices)  ‘Glamour Lane’ (A television show on the glamour world of cinema and television)  ‘Chit Chat’ (An intimate gossip between two celebrity actors)

Also Dr. Iti Samanta produced several Documentary, Promotional Films and many Audio and Video programmes and Music CDs.

30 Social Responsibility

Model Village Inspired by her brother Dr. Achyuta Samanta, she actively involved herself in reforming her native village Kalarabank to a model village, which was a dream project of her mother Nilimarani. Dr. Achyuta Samanta, the Founder of Nilimarani Charitable Trust has nominated her as the managing trustee to implement their mother’s nobel initiative. Presently she is managing two schools: Kalinga English Medium School and Kalarabanka High School, Temple Complex, Rural Hospital, Library and Community Centre at her village Kalarabank She is instrumental in organising rural women folks of nearby villages, who came forward to form women self help groups for their economic and social empowerment. She has also united local youths to take up developmental and cultural works of village. Now the smart village estabelished by Dr. Achyuta Samanta and managed by her has got all city amenities like free Wi-Fi service, quality education, mobile connectivity, Post Office, Banking facilities, drinking water and black top roads.

31 Towards Transgender Community Along with her great social responsibility, she is continuously working for the growth, promotion and enhancement of the transgender community. She also worked for encouraging them and to change the mind set of society towards the community of transgender. In this respect she published an exceptional coverage regarding all aspects of transgender in her ‘The Kadambini’ magazine

32 containing 150 pages. Subsequently to bring the actual story and struggle behind a transgender life, she also launched a special programme 'Bhinna Manisha Bhinna Katha' through her media house Kadambini Media Pvt. Ltd. Acharya Mahamandaleswar Mx. Laxmi Narayan Tripathy Said- “The programme ‘Bhinna Manisha Bhinna Katha' is not only in India but in whole world this is one kind of a series. It is history in making.” Dr. Samanta also work regarding Women related issues and down-trodden people who are really needy. She has done research on lives of many transgenders, conceptualised and produced an unique TV show 'Bhinna Manisha Bhinna Katha' which is successfully running on Kalinga TV since 2nd July 2018. This programme is well appreciated by all section of viewers and it has got maximum reach through Kalinga TV YouTube.

33 Other Activities

Dr. Itirani Samanta has been holding many important and responsible positions in the government, public and private bodies such as: • Member, Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), Ministry of I & B, Govt. of India • Jury member, Odisha State Film Award Committee - 2007 • Jury member, Tarang Cine Award Committee - 2010, 2012 • Member, General Council, Odisha Sahitya Academy, Bhubaneswar, 2011-2013 • Member, Post Forum, Postal Dept., Odisha • She has participated in many television shows, broadcast programmes as an expert and presenter on Literature, gender related issues.

34 Awards and Achievements

For Excellence in Editing: • Bagmi Biswanath Kar Sampadana Samman - 2019, Utkal Sahitya Samaja • Asimaloka Samman - 2019 • Amari Bhasa Pathe Samman - 2016 (The Intellects, ) • Duradarshi Samman - 2016 • Roopnagar Mayanagaree Award - 2016 (Best Family Magazine of Odisha) • Best Editor Samman - 2016, Nimapada Sahitya Sansad • Manthan Juba Sampadika Samman - 2010 • Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhabana Award - 2008 (as Best Woman Editor) • Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhabana Award - 2007 (Best Editor) • Prananatha Samman - 2006 (Best Editor) • Special Felicitation for Editing - 2006 (Lions Club, Bhubaneswar Lotus) • Best Editor Award - 2004 (State Social Welfare Advisory Board, Bhubaneswar) • Kathaa Journal Award - 2004 (New Delhi) • Rajiv Gandhi Award - 2002 (Best Woman Editor) • Smrutilipi Best Editor Samman - 2002 • Avinandanika Award - 2001 (Magazine Editing) • Aashraya Award - 2001 (Best Editor) • Badadanda Best Editor Samman - 2001 • Best Editor Award - 2001, Lions Club, Bhubaneswar

For Creative Writing: • Rajadhani Pustak Mela Puraskar - 2019 (for novel ‘Shakuntalara Jhia’) • Kabi Chakrabarti Brajanath Badajena Saraswata Samman - 2018 • Bhanja Bharati Jayadev Sarangi Memorial Award - 2017 • Ama Bhubaneswar Samman - 2017

35 • Padmavati Award - 2016 • Utkal Prativa Samman - 2016 • Prativa Samman - 2016 • Utkalamani Prativa Samman - 2016 • Odia Sahitya Samman - 2016 • Akshaya Mohanty Sahitya Samman - 2013 • Rajadhani Pustak Mela Puraskar - 2013 (for story collection ‘Iti Tora Lipsa’) • Dhanaphula Sahitya Samman - 2013 • Chinta & Chetana Rastriya Award - 2002 For Drama: • Manana Samman - 2016, Manana Natya Santha For Entrepreneur: • Best Women Entrepreneur - 2014 by 92.7 BIG FM For Overall Performances: • Balighara Saraswata Prativa Samman - 2019 • Agami Odisha Sambardhita Prativa - 2019 • Support Samman - 2018 • Nilachakra Samman - 2016, Chinta O Chetana, Bhubaneswar • Odisha Youth Inspiration Award - 2015 • SCART Nabaratna Award - 2015 • Punyaprabha Geeti Gourab Samman - 2015 • Sakala Samman - 2014 • Shrestha Odiani Samman - 2009 • Tundabaida Samman - 2008 • Manjubala Smruti Samman - 2006 • Rajib Sena Award - 2004 • Professional Excellency Award - 2004 (All India Small and Medium Newspaper Editors, Odisha Branch)

36 • Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhawana Award - 2003 (Best family feature magazine ‘Kadambini’) • Dhwani Pratidhwani Samman - 2003 • Best Women Samman - 2003 For Cinema: • National Award for Best Film production (Rajat Kamal) - 2006 (for ‘Kathantara’) • Mohan Sundar Deb Goswami Award - 2005 (Odisha State Film Award for best film 'Kathantara') • Mohan Sundar Deb Goswami Award - 2014 (Odisha State Film Award for best feature film 'Krantidhara') • Odisha State Film Award for Best Story Writer - 2014 (for 'Krantidhara') • Odish State Tele Film Award - 2013 (for ‘Kahani Nuhen’) • Best Story Writer Award for ‘Krantidhara’ - 2016, ChalachitraJagat • Best Story Writer Award for ‘Krantidhara’ - 2016, Cinema Sansar • Best Story Writer Award for ‘Krantidhara’ - 2016, Odia Film fair Award • Best Creative Title Award for ‘Krantidhara’ - 2016, Odia Film fair Award • National Cine Ratna Award - 2016 & 2017 • Chalachitra Jagat Pratibha Samman - 2007 for award-winning films ‘Kathaantara’ • Chinta O Chetana Award - 2007 for Best Film Production • Roopnagar Mayanagaree Award - 2016 (Best Film of Year 2015) • Chitrapuri Award - 2006 • Big Screen Big Star Entertainment Award - 2016 (Krantidhara) • For producing award-winning Odia movies she has been felicitated in many places such as at Bangalore, Chennai etc... etc...

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37 Residence: Nilima Nilaya, 421/2359, Padmabati Vihar, Sailashree Vihar, Bhubaneswar - 751 021, Odisha Cell: +91 9437014119, 9937220229, E-mail: [email protected] Office: Kadambini Villa, 421/2358, Padmabati Vihar, Sailashree Vihar, Bhubaneswar - 751 021, Odisha Office: +91 7328841932, 0674-2740519/2741260, E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.kadambini.org Facebook ID: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008486592503 Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/ItiSamantaOfficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itisamanta/?hl=en 16SEPTEMBER2019

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