Bhubaneswar: Veteran Odia playback singer Pranab Patnaik passed away on Friday at the age of 88, bringing an end to a remarkable musical journey spanning more than five decades. He breathed his last at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar.
Patnaik was one of the most recognised voices in Odisha’s music industry and had contributed immensely to Odia cinema and music. His distinctive voice and melodious style earned him a special place among generations of music lovers across the state.
Tributes Pour In for Legendary Singer
News of Patnaik’s demise prompted an outpouring of grief from political leaders, artists and admirers of Odia music.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed condolences over the veteran singer’s death and remembered his contribution to the state’s cultural and musical heritage.
BJP National Vice President and Kendrapara MP Baijayant Panda also mourned Patnaik’s passing, while Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik expressed grief over the loss of the celebrated singer.
Several members of the artistic community also paid tribute to the veteran vocalist, describing his contribution to Odia music as significant and irreplaceable.
A Musical Journey Spanning Over Five Decades
Born on January 20, 1938, Pranab Patnaik went on to establish himself as one of the prominent playback singers in Odisha.
He gained widespread recognition for the song ‘Majhire’ from the acclaimed Odia film Shesha Srabana. Over the course of his career, he lent his voice to numerous songs and explored a wide range of musical forms.
His repertoire extended beyond mainstream Odia film music and included folk, devotional and bhajan, semi-classical, traditional music, Hindi songs and ghazals.
Began Playback Career in 1958
Patnaik formally entered the music world under the guidance of music guru Kunal Adinarayan, who played an important role in shaping his early musical career.
In 1958, he made his playback singing debut with the Odia film Maa. From there, he went on to build a long and distinguished career in playback singing.
Throughout his journey, Patnaik worked alongside several renowned vocalists. He shared songs with singers including Hemlata, Vani Jairam, S. Janaki and P. Susheela, among others.
He also had the opportunity to collaborate with celebrated voices such as Bhupinder Singh, Usha Mangeshkar and Haimanti Shukla.
Seven-Time State Award Winner
One of the most notable achievements of Patnaik’s career was his record at the Odisha Government’s Best Playback Singer Awards.
He was the only Odia playback singer to receive the Odisha Government’s Best Playback Singer Award seven times, reflecting the enduring recognition he received for his contribution to the state’s music industry.
His ability to move effortlessly across different musical genres helped him remain relevant for generations and established him as a distinctive voice in Odia music.
End of an Era in Odia Music
With Pranab Patnaik’s death, Odisha has lost a veteran artist whose voice became an important part of its cinematic and musical heritage.
For more than half a century, he contributed to Odia music through playback singing and performances across diverse genres. His songs and musical legacy are expected to continue to remain part of Odisha’s cultural memory.
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