Vendre Transgression and Other Stories by Pratibha Ray NEUF

Pratibha Ray, Ph.D. formerly Professor in Education and Member, Public Service Commission, Odisha, is one of the leading fiction writers in India. She writes in Odia language. Her thrust being psychosocial analysis, Pratibha grapples with issues of contemporary relevance, dealing with a variety of subject matters. She tries to bring different levels of perception into one structure. Rays work is unsparing in its indictments of social evils, injustice and corruption in narrow lanes of power and politics. Among numerous state, national and international awards, she is the recipient of (1) Odisha Sahitya Akademi Award for her novel "Shilapadma" (on Konark temple), (2) Moorti Devi Award (1991) by Bharatiya Jnanapith Trust for her novel "Jajnaseni" (she is the only woman writer in India to receive this award till date), (3) Sahitya Akademi Award (2000), (4) "Padma Shree" (2007) high civilian award for her contribution to the field of Indian Literature and Education, (5) The highest literary award of India Bharatiya Jnanpith Award (2011), (6) Katha Prize, Delhi for best story writing, Delhi 1994 & 1999, (7) Outstanding Odia literary award from Odisha Society of Americas, USA, and Canada, 1995. Felicitated in Canada 2005, (8) Kalinga Ratna Title, 2014 (9) Honorary D.Lit. by Utkal University of Culture, 2011 and Ravenshaw University, Cuttack 2014. She has published 23 novels, 28 short story collections, 10 travelogues on different countries, 10 books for children, 10 books for Neo-literates, 1 essay collections, 1 biography in English, 1 book of lyrics and 2 poetry collections, 1 compilation of tribal myths (about five primitive tribes of Odisha). Her autobiography "Life on Lotus Leaf" is highly acclaimed. Her short stories and novels are made into films and national tele-serials. Noted Indian actress and danseuse Hema Malini has danced the Novel "Jajnaseni" in the Stage Ballet. She has visited 40 countries on speaking tours. Her writings have been translated into various Indian languages, English and several foreign languages. She is the Founder Chairman of two National literary organization, Bhashayan and Pratibha Ray Foundation Trust to promote all languages and literature.