Eminent Odia playback singer Pranab Patnaik passed away on Friday at the age of 88, breathing his last at his residence in Bhubaneswar.
Born on January 20, 1938, Patnaik was inspired by his father, Lal Mohan Patnaik, former Speaker of the Odisha Legislative Assembly. He began his formal training under Guru Kunal Adinarayan and made his playback debut in 1958 with the film Maa. Over the next six decades, he lent his voice to over 200 Odia films, working with nearly every major music director in the state.
Patnaik remains the only Odia playback singer to win the State Film Award for Best Playback Singer seven times, with memorable performances in films like Sindura Bindu, Astraaga, Jhiati Sita Pari, Kanyadaan, Pratishodha Aparadha Nuhenand Asha. His recognitions include the Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1997-98), Jayadev Puraskar (2016), and the Balakrishna Dash Memorial Award (2023), among many others.
His versatility spanned Odissi, folk, devotional, semi-classical, Hindi songs, and ghazals, making him a household name. He shared the stage with legends like Hemlata, Vani Jayaram, S. Janaki, P. Susheela, Nirmala Mishra, Bhupinder Singh, Usha Mangeshkar, and Haimanti Sukla.
Films such as Shree Lokanath, Suryamukhi, Sindura Bindu, Sesa Srabana, Chinha Chinhaand Batighara cemented his popularity and showcased his wide vocal range and unique style.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed deep sorrow over the demise of veteran Odia playback singer Pranab Patnaik, calling it an irreparable loss to Odisha’s cultural and musical heritage.
In his message on X, the Chief Minister said Patnaik, with his “timeless voice,” had mesmerised generations of Odias and enriched the state’s art and culture. He recalled the singer’s illustrious career, decorated with honours such as the Jayadev Puraskar, Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, and multiple State Film Awards, noting that his melodious renditions will remain immortal in the hearts of Odias. Conveying his condolences to the bereaved family and countless admirers, Majhi prayed to Lord Jagannath for the eternal peace of the departed soul, ending his tribute with “Om Shanti.”
I am deeply saddened to learn of the demise of the great singer Pranab Patnaik, who enthralled the entire Odisha with his timeless voice. Recipient of many honors such as Jayadeva Award, Odisha Music Drama Academy Award and State Film Award, the passing away of this unique musician sadhaka is a legacy of Odisha art and… pic.twitter.com/OgyEIlIDEZ
— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) August 21, 2026