By Vivekananda Pattanayak in Bhubaneswar, June 7, 2026: Jagannath Prasad (J.P.) Das, a renowned former IAS officer, eminent poet, playwright, and art historian from Odisha, passed away at the age of 90 here on June 3. He famously left his civil service career at its peak to dedicate his life to literature and art.

Known as JP among his close colleagues in the civil service, he was an outstanding student in the college and university, always holding high rank, and remaining in the merit list in every examination. After teaching briefly in the Allahabad University, he joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1958.

When the district of Kalahandi was under the grip of severe drought in the early sixties drawing global attention, he served there as the District Collector with great distinction. He was a man offew words but highly decisive and precise in his expression. His leadership was reflected in his effective action during the time of crisis. While working in any field he showed his professional comprehension receiving admiration and respect from his subordinates and seniors. His humility was striking and gentle approach to people was exemplary. Political neutrality, independence of judgement, and maturity in giving candid advice earned him dignity in public domain.

From his early childhood he had a flair for poetry, art, literature and culture. His writings were published in Kunkuma, a lithographic periodical issued from Bombay (now known as Mumbai) by the Odia residents of the city, when he was still in the school. For young people this periodical was a novelty. His articles found place in Ashanta Kali of Calcutta (now called Kolkata).

His professional civil service career was never affected by his literary pursuit.He left civil service quite early in spite of his magnificent contribution to the governments both at the State and centre in order to dedicate himself to the area of art and culture.His book in Odia “Desa Kala Patra” with the English rendering of Jatin Nayak is a marvellous piece of research on part of history of Odisha,highly readable by common peoplewhich deserved national recognition. It gave a graphic account of famine which had struck hapless peoplecausing unfathomable misery.

Shy of publicity, he was self-effacing. His defining personality was based on rational thinking remarkably futuristic. His prolific contribution to literature and culture remained in the penumbra of official recognition. When he spent years in Delhi after his retirement he remained as a father figure for manyartists, scholars writers, civil servants and budding social leaders.

His father, Shridhar Das was will-known educationist of his time. His younger brother was a Chief Engineer. His wife Mitra Mohanty was a famous singer in the fifties of the last century and celebrated singer in the programme of All India Radio. His daughter Monalisa equally talented artist having made mark in Odissi dance married to a Japanese engineer, now in USA.