Sarat Pujari (8 August 1934 – 12 May 2014) was an Indian actor, director, and producer in the Odia film industry (Ollywood).
Early life and background
Sarat Pujari was born on 8 August 1934 at Khandapada, Nayagarh district, Odisha, British India. He completed his early education across various schools in Odisha. He earned a post-graduate degree in Economics and a Diploma in Paintings from Allahabad University in 1956.
Career
After completing his education, Pujari began his career as a block designer and publicity agent. In 1959, he joined as a lecturer in economics at Panchayat College, Bargarh, a position he left in 1966. He subsequently worked as a Works Manager at Tapang Light Foundry, Nayagarh, and later served as Principal of Larambha College, Larambha.
Film career
Pujari began acting in the 1960s. He left his service positions to become a freelance film actor from September 1966 to September 1968 to learn film-making techniques. He was nominated by the Government of Odisha as a member of the Orissa Sangeeta Natak Academy and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Film Development Corporation of Odisha, Cuttack. He retired as principal of Sangeet Nataka College, Bhubaneswar.
He acted in approximately 40 films and several television serials. He also directed several Odia films, including Tapoi (1978) and Ashanta Graha (1982). He played a negative role in the internationally award-winning film Bhukha (1989).
Awards
- Jayadev Award (1985) – conferred by the Government of Odisha for significant contribution to the Odia film industry
- Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award (2007)
- Kadambini Samman Award (2010)
- Hemant Das Kala Samman Award (2011)
- Orissa Cine Artist Association Award (2012)
Personal life and death
Pujari was married and had two daughters and two sons. His son Soumen Pujari is also an actor. On 12 May 2014, Pujari suffered a cardiac arrest at approximately 12:30 AM and died at his home in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India, at the age of 79.
Selected filmography
- Jiban Sathi (1963) – Sarat
- Matira Manisha (1966) – Baraju
- Kaa (1966)
- Arundhati (1967) – Manoj
- Tapoi (1978) – Director
- Ashanta Graha (1982) – Director
- Astaraga (1982) – Director
- Andha Diganta (1988)
- Bhukha (1989)
- Drusti (1990)
- Aranya Rodan (1992)
- Shesha Drushti (1997) – Kedar Babu
