Bhubaneswar, May 8 (PTI) Eminent Odia litterateur Rajat Kumar Kar, a Padma Shri awardee, died at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar on Sunday, his family said.

He was 88 years old and had heart-related ailments, they said.

Also Read | Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath Warns That 'No Religious Events To Take Place on Roads'.

Kar complained of chest pain around 5 pm and when rushed to the hospital, doctors declared him dead, they said.

He was fine till noon and went to take rest after having lunch. However, he complained of uneasiness soon after getting up from the bed, following which he was taken to the hospital, they added.

Also Read | Pune Shocker: Mistaken For His Son, Man Hacked to Death in His Sleep.

Kar, who was conferred with Padma Shri in 2021 for literature and education, had heart-related ailments and was under medication.

An orator on Jagannath culture, he was known for his commentary during the annual Ratha Jatra on TV and radio for six decades.

He was also instrumental in the revival of Odisha's dying art of Pala.

He was a prolific writer on Upendra Bhanja literature and has seven non-fictions to his credit. He has also written a few books on Lord Jagannath.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)