By Sujata Jena

Bhubaneswar, April 25, 2020: Catholics in Odisha have mourned the death of Malakias Nayak, a renowned poet who wrote Odiya liturgical hymns and prayers.

Nayak died on April 24 in his residence at Bodopada of Gajapati district of Odisha. He was 75.

He hailed from Aligonda parish of Berhampur diocese.

The writer had undergone a brain surgery a few months ago and was undergoing treatment since January.

The poet was survived by his wife Jahida Khan, a Muslim-convert to Catholicism, four sons and three daughters. His second son, Jesuit Father Mahesh Nayak, conducted the funeral Mass at 4 am on April 25 in their parish church.

“It is heart breaking news for me because he was my favorite teacher in all respect,” says Martin Pradhan, a student of Nayak. “He was not only a teacher but also a good writer, poetics and dramatist,” Pradhan told Matters India over phone on April 25.

Vincentian Father Naresh Nayak, principal of St. Vincent’s School in Kolkata and an associate of the poet, hailed the poet as an outstanding Catholic educationist, writer, and dramatist. “He brought a revolution in Odia literature through his writings,” the priest told Matters India through a WhatsApp message.

Nayak is a common surname in Odisha.

According to Father Nayak, the poet was the first Catholic to get an MA degree from the then Ganjam district of Odisha (now Gajapati).

Besides his teaching profession, Malakias worked hard and with the help of the village committee established a high school in 1973, the priest recalled.

He raised fund by doing dramas for the school that later became a government institution. He served it as its long-time principal. Before his retirement he was promoted to the position of Odisha Education Service.

After retirement, he set up Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar College in Khajuripada of Gajapati district. He served as its first principal, Father Nayak said.

Recalling Nayak’s “selfless service,” Father Udapaynath Bishoyi, another associate, said the inspiring teacher combined profession and mission in promoting Catholic faith through poem and literature. “Today many of his hymns are still sung in our Churches.”

Nayak also helped translate St John’s Gospel into Odia.

His Jesuit son said the poet had begun the translation of the Second Vatican Council documents but could not complete them because of his ill health.

“I will miss my dad a great deal. It will be almost impossible to fill the vacuum he has left in our family,” the young priest added.