Early Life and Background

Sarat Pujari was born on 8 August 1934 at Khandapada, Nayagarh district, Odisha. His early education was completed in many schools all over Odisha. He completed his post graduation in Economics and Diploma in Paintings in Allahabad University in 1956.

Career

After completing his education he started his career as a block designer and Publicity agent. In 1959, He joined as a lecturer in Economics in Panchayat College, Bargarh which he quit in 1966. Then, he joined Tapang Light Foundery, Nayagarh as a Works Manager. For many years he worked as the Principal of Larambha College, Larambha.

Film Career

He started his career as an actor in the sixties. He left job and became a freelance film actor from September 1966 to September 1968 to learn the techniques of film making. After that he was principal at the young age of 34 in Larambha College, Bargarh. Pujari was nominated by the State Govt. of Odisha as member of the Odisha Sangeeta Natak Academy, Member of the Board of Director of Film Development Corporation of Odisha, Cuttack. He retired as Principal of Sangeet Nataka College, Bhubaneswar.

Pujari became very interested in drama and other performing arts during his time as a student. At that time the Odia film industry was not as developed as it is today, producing no more than one film each year. At that time he was offered a role in film Mahalakshmi Puja (1959). After that there was no looking back. At one point Pujari was the leading star of the Odia film industry. He has acted in about 40 films, as well as some television serials. He has also directed few Odia films, including Taa Poi (1978) and Ashanta Graha (1982).

The Government of Odisha conferred upon him the “Jayadev Award” in 1985 for his significant contribution to Odia Film Industry. He was also honored with first “Hemant Das Kala Samman Award”, “Kadambini Samman” for 2010 & “Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award” for the year 2007. He also played negative roles in Chha Mana Atha Guntha (1986) & International award winning movie Bhukha (1989).

Personal Life and Death

On 12 May 2014, he suffered a cardiac arrest at around 12:30 AM and died at his house in Bhubaneshwar. He is survived by his wife, two daughters and two sons. His son Soumen Pujari is also an actor.