Noted Jatra artiste and stand-up comedian Rabi Satapathy passed away after a prolonged battle with liver cancer on Friday. He was 68. The noted comedian breathed his last at his home at Agapada under Kujang block in Jagatsinghpur district.
Satapathy was bedridden for a long time after being diagnosed with liver cancer two years back. He first complained of severe stomach pain and was taken to Cuttack where doctors advised him to conduct tests.
After all the tests, doctors revealed that he was in third-stage liver cancer. Since then, he had been under treatment. He could not take any food and consumed only liquid diet for the last few days, family sources said.
He rose to fame with his character as Padu Mohanty in the superhit Jatra 'Shaguna Basichi Dena Melai’. He was also part of another popular jatra ‘Mo Penkali Bajei De’. He played the character of Chandramani and received critical acclaim from both audiences and critics alike.
‘Ardhangini’ and ‘Bela Budigale Bebina Kande’ are some of his other great works in Jatra which will forever be itched in the hearts and minds of jatra lovers. He has acted in several opera parties like ‘Sibani Gananatya’, ‘Gouri Gananatya’, ‘Dhauli Gananatya’, ‘Konark Gananatya’, ‘Baghajatin Lokanatya’, ‘Indra Mahal’, ‘Rangamahal’, ‘Surya Mahal’, and ‘Biswa Ranga Mahal’.
A pall of gloom has descended among jatra lovers after Satapathy’s demise, who was known for his charming and lively acting.