Bhubaneswar: Veteran Odia playback singer Pranab Patnaik passed away on Friday at the age of 88. He breathed his last while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar.
Patnaik was admitted to the hospital on August 10 after developing health complications. He was diagnosed with pneumonia and subsequently tested positive for dengue. His condition later deteriorated, with kidney complications, and he succumbed to the ailments during treatment on Friday.
Patnaik was one of the most respected voices in the Odia music industry and enjoyed a career spanning more than five decades. His death marks the end of an era in Odisha’s film and music landscape.
Born on January 20, 1938, Patnaik was deeply influenced by his father, late Lal Mohan Patnaik, a former Speaker of the Odisha Legislative Assembly. He received formal training in music under the guidance of Guru Kunal Adinarayan before entering the professional music industry.
Playback singing career
Patnaik began his playback singing career in 1958 with the Odia film ‘Maa’. Over the decades, he lent his voice to more than 200 Odia films including ‘Shree Loknath’, ‘Suryamukhi’, ‘Sindoora Bindu’, ‘Shesha Shravan’, ‘Chinha Achinha’ and ‘Kanyadaan’, working with several celebrated music directors, including Akshaya Mohanty, Shantanu Mahapatra, Balakrishna Das and Prafulla Kar. He earned fame in Odia music industry for iconic songs like “Majhire” from the film ‘Chinha Achinha’, “Keun Naama Dhari Dakibi Tumaku” from ‘Sindoora Bindu’ and “Pahadara Sepakhe Ama Chhota Gaon” from ‘Kanyadaan’.
He also collaborated with several renowned national-level singers, including Vani Jairam, Hemlata, Usha Mangeshkar, Bhupinder Singh, S. Janaki, P. Susheela, Nirmal Mishra and Haimayanti Shukla.
Beyond cinema, Patnaik was widely known for his contributions to Odissi, folk, devotional and bhajan music, semi-classical music, traditional songs, Hindi geet and ghazals. His association with All India Radio’s Sugam Sangeet and devotional music further established his popularity among music lovers.
Seven-time State Award winner
Patnaik holds the distinction of being the only Odia playback singer to have won the Odisha State Film Award for Best Playback Singer seven times.
For his outstanding contribution to Odia cinema and music, he was also honoured with the state’s prestigious Jayadev Puraskar, besides several other awards and recognitions.
Among his notable honours were the Balakrishna Das Memorial Award (2023), Jayadev Puraskar (2016), Gangadhar Rath Memorial Award (2017), Prafulla Kar Award (2011), Big Odia Entertainment Award (2010) and the Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1997-98).
Popular songs
Patnaik’s distinctive voice and versatile singing style earned him a lasting place in the hearts of Odia music lovers. Some of his popular songs include ‘Mun Keun Sahare’, ‘Tuma Gaon Mahumachhi’, ‘Chala Ame Palaijiba Sahar’, ‘Prema Tini Jati’ and ‘Smruti Tora Phere’.
Known for his wide vocal range and unique rendition style, Patnaik contributed immensely to the evolution and popularity of Odia film music. His songs continue to be remembered for their emotional depth and distinctive musical expression.
With his demise, Odisha has lost one of its most accomplished playback singers, whose contribution to Odia cinema and music over several decades remains deeply etched in the state’s cultural history.