Archive · 5 Aug 2026
Celebrated Pala Maestro Pandit Jagannath Behera Dies At 101
A very famous traditional artist from Odisha named Pandit Jagannath Behera has passed away at the age of 101.
He was known for 'Pala,' a very old kind of folk art that mixes singing, poetry, stories, and philosophy.
In Pala, artists sing and act out stories from old Hindu books like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
A main singer, called the Gayaka, tells the story while helpers called the Palia sing along and play drums.
Pala is usually performed at religious festivals, temple celebrations, and village fairs.
It is not just entertainment — it teaches people about moral values, spirituality, and their cultural traditions.
Behera spent his whole life performing Pala and teaching young artists so the tradition would not be forgotten.
Even though modern entertainment is popular now, his work helped keep Pala relevant.
The Odisha government and cultural groups also help by holding festivals, workshops, and educational programs to preserve the art form.
Renowned Pala exponent Pandit Jagannath Behera, one of Odisha's most respected traditional folk artists, died at 101 at his native village Kaijanga in Erasama on Sunday after a prolonged illness.
He dedicated his decades-long career to preserving and promoting Pala through countless performances, mentoring young artists, and participating in cultural events across Odisha.
Pala is a centuries-old Odisha folk ballad tradition that blends music, poetry, storytelling, philosophy, and religious discourse, based on stories from Hindu scriptures such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Performances by five to six members feature a lead singer (Gayaka), a drummer (Bayaka), and a chorus (Palia), and often blend Hindu and Muslim traditions through the syncretic figure Satyapir.
The Odisha government and cultural organisations support Pala's preservation through festivals, workshops, and educational initiatives.
- Who
- Pandit Jagannath Behera, a renowned Pala exponent and one of Odisha's most respected traditional folk artists
- What
- Passed away at age 101 after a prolonged illness; the news also details Pala, the centuries-old folk ballad tradition he championed
- When
- Sunday
- Where
- His native village Kaijanga in Erasama, Odisha
- Why
- After a prolonged illness; his death highlights the importance of preserving the ancient Pala tradition
- Deceased
- Pandit Jagannath Behera
- Age at death
- 101
- Art form
- Pala, a centuries-old folk ballad tradition of Odisha
- Place of death
- Kaijanga village, Erasama, Odisha
- Cause of death
- Prolonged illness
- Performance group
- Five to six members led by a Gayaka, with a Bayaka and Palia chorus
- Story sources
- Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavata Purana and other devotional texts
- Preservation efforts
- Odisha government and cultural organisations hold festivals, workshops and educational initiatives