Vinay Kumar
Bhubaneswar: Veteran Odia playback singer Geeta Patnaik passed away at a private hospital in Cuttack on Sunday. She was 68.Patnaik suffered a brain stroke while attending a literary fest in Bhubaneswar on Thursday and was taken to Capital Hospital. She was later shifted to the hospital in Cuttack and was on ventilator support. Family members said she breathed her last at 6:18 pm.A resident of Cuttack, Patnaik lent her voice several timeless film songs. She started singing professionally at 15 as a lead singer in a chorus.She debuted in the Odia film industry in Amit Maitra’s ‘Adina Megha’, which released in 1970. “The vocalist was admired for her memorable duets with popular composer-singer Akshaya Mohanty, which continued to resonate with music lovers across generations,” said film historian Surya Deo.Mohanty assisted Balakrushna Dash during the recording of ‘Adina Megha’ when he spotted her talent and offered her a playback opportunity in ‘Sansara’. There was no looking back thereafter.With a career spanning over three decades, some of her popular songs include ‘Phur Kina Udigala Bani’ from ‘Jajabar’, ‘Nagar Re Mora Kanafulia’ from ‘Naga Phasa’, and ‘Ei Tarabhara Janha Rati’ from ‘Akshi Trutiya’. She was also an AIR and Doordarshan artist, lending her voice to songs across genres, including ghazals. Over the years, she received several accolades, including the State Film Award for playback singing.Family members said her last rites will be performed at Satichaura crematorium in Cuttack on Monday.CM Mohan Charan Majhi described her demise as an irreplaceable loss to Odisha’s music and culture. Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan said she carved a unique identity in Odia music and made invaluable contributions to the state’s art and culture, adding that her voice would continue to inspire future generations. Leader of opposition Naveen Patnaik said her melodious voice brought Odia music into every home.
