Jayanta Mahapatra needs no introduction.

Perhaps any discussion on Indian English Poetry is incomplete without reference to his poetical

works. Mahapatra holds the distinction of being the first Indian English poet to have received the Sahitya Akademi Award (1981) for the current book "Relationship". "Relationship" reveals Jayanta Mahapatra's great efforts to transform his 'mute inglorious' sufferings which he connects with the sufferings of his nameless ancestors whose great sacrifices made them "the stone".

"... his international reputation has been compared to that of Wordsworth..."

The Hindu Sunday, Jan 29, 2006

"Jayanta Mahapatra is what you would expect a poet to be — shy, pensive, measuring his words as if he were about to share a secret..."

The India Today, September 22, 1997

"... Here, at last, the poet is speaking to me. This is poetry one likes to read, to hear. A poetry that should last."

The Daily Star, Saturday, January 10, 2004