Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Veteran Odia Playback Singer Pranab Patnaik Dies at 88
Pranab Patnaik was a famous singer from Odisha.
He died on Friday at the age of 88.
He was taken to a hospital in Bhubaneswar after becoming ill.
Reports differed on whether he fell ill suddenly or had been unwell for several days.
He started singing in films in 1958 with a movie called “Maa.”
He sang in more than 200 Odia films.
He also sang folk, devotional, Odissi, semi-classical and ghazal music.
Many people remembered his popular songs and awards.
He is survived by his wife Kasturi Patnaik and two sons.
Veteran Odia playback singer Pranab Patnaik died at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar on Friday, aged 88.
Reports said he had suddenly fallen ill, while another report said he had been unwell for several days.
Patnaik began his playback career with the 1958 Odia film “Maa” and sang in more than 200 films.
He performed Odissi, folk, devotional, bhajan, semi-classical, traditional, Hindi geet and ghazal music.
He received tributes from Mohan Charan Majhi, Naveen Patnaik and others; his last rites were held in Cuttack.
- Who
- Veteran Odia singer Pranab Patnaik, who is survived by his wife Kasturi Patnaik and two sons.
- What
- Patnaik died after becoming ill.
- When
- Friday; the reports do not provide a specific date.
- Where
- He died at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar; his last rites were performed at Khan Nagar crematorium in Cuttack.
- Why
- The reports said he became ill; one described a sudden illness, while another said he had been unwell for several days.
- Age at death
- 88
- Playback debut
- 1958, in the Odia film “Maa”
- Film contributions
- More than 200 Odia films
- Career span
- More than five decades
- Popular song
- “Majhire” from “Sesha Srabana,” along with “Majhi Re,” “Mun Keun Sahare,” “Tuma Gaon Mahumachhi,” “Chala Ame Palaijiba Sahar,” “Prema Tini Jati” and “Smruti Tor Phere”
- Honours
- Jayadev Puraskar, Balakrishna Das Memorial Award (2023), Gangadhar Rath Memorial Award (2017), Prafulla Kar Award (2011), Big Odia Entertainment Award (2010) and Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1997-98)
- Other recognition
- The Telegraph India report said he won seven State Film Awards for contributions to Odia cinema and music.
