Bhubaneswar: Odia music has lost one of its most distinguished and beloved voices. Veteran playback singer Pranab Patnaik, who enriched the Odia film and music industry with his soulful and melodious voice for more than five decades, passed away at his residence in Bhubaneswar on Friday. He was 88.
His death marks the end of an important chapter in the history of Odia music. For generations of music lovers, Pranab Patnaik was not merely a playback singer; he was a distinctive musical identity whose voice carried emotion, romance, devotion and depth with remarkable ease.
Born on 20 January 1938, Pranab Patnaik was drawn to music from an early age. His father, former Speaker Lal Mohan Patnaik, was an important source of inspiration in his early musical journey. He subsequently received musical training from renowned guru Kunal Adinarayan Rao, laying the foundation for a long and illustrious career.
A Journey That Began with ‘Maa’
Pranab Patnaik entered the world of Odia playback singing in 1958, when he got an opportunity to lend his voice to the film Maa, under the music direction of Bhubaneswar Mishra.
That opportunity marked the beginning of a remarkable musical journey. His voice soon became familiar to Odia audiences through a series of memorable films and songs.
Films such as Sri Lokanath, Suryamukhi, Sadhana, Mala Janha, Kaa, Arundhati, Sindura Bindu, Sesha Srabana, Chinha Achinha and Batighara helped establish him as one of the most popular voices of Odia cinema.
Over the course of his career, he is credited with lending his voice to nearly 200 Odia films, becoming an integral part of the golden era of Odia film music.
stakable quality of his voice. His singing combined sweetness with emotional depth, allowing him to bring out the true character of every composition.
Songs such as “Bedana Sagara,” “Tu Ki Paradeishi,” “Niladri Bihari Hari,” “Nayane Sunayana,” “Mun Ta Kularu Heli,” “Tume Janana Janana” and “Kathatie” continue to remain cherished among generations of Odia music lovers.
His musical journey also brought him into association with several celebrated national-level artists, including Bhupinder Singh, Nirmala Mishra, Usha Mangeshkar, Vani Jairam and S. Janaki.
Beyond Cinema
Pranab Patnaik’s contribution was not confined to films. He made a significant contribution to non-film music through All India Radio, Doordarshan and music albums. He presented a wide range of devotional, modern and other forms of music to Odia audiences.
In 1992, he released his first ghazal album, Shab-e-Ghazal. The album featured music direction by legendary flautist Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, while Devaki Pandit also lent her voice alongside Pranab Patnaik.
He also performed music at several venues in India and abroad, taking the richness of Odia musical expression to wider audiences.
Honours for a Lifetime of Musical Contribution
In recognition of his contribution to music, Pranab Patnaik received the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award as well as the State Film Award.
These honours reflected not only his popularity but also the artistic stature he achieved during a career spanning several decades.
A Legacy That Will Continue to Sing
The passing of Pranab Patnaik is more than the loss of an individual singer. It is the passing of a generation that shaped and defined the sound of Odia music.
Music changes with time, but some voices transcend generations. Pranab Patnaik’s voice is one such voice. His songs remain alive on radio programmes, music archives, albums and, most importantly, in the memories of countless listeners.
An artist may leave the world, but his art continues to live. Pranab Patnaik’s immortal melodies will continue to remind future generations of an era when Odia music was shaped by extraordinary voices, gifted composers and deep musical craftsmanship.
Pranab Patnaik is gone, but his voice remains. His passing is not merely the farewell of a singer—it is the farewell of an era of melody.
Pranab Patnaik (1938–2026)
An unforgettable voice. An enduring legacy. A timeless chapter in the history of Odia music.
