Bhubaneswar: Bhajan Maestro Arabinda Muduli who captivated lakhs of people with his splendid bhajans passed away aged 56 in the wee hours today. He died of cardiac arrest at a private hospital here.
Muduli was transferred to hospital after he complained of chest pain at around 2 am but he succumbed on the stretcher while being admitted for treatment.
"His heart was not pumping properly due to which he was under medication from 2013 but was OK of late, his son Krupasindhu told OTV.
"His body will be taken from his residence at Bhimatangi in Bhubaneswar to his native village Khanati in Khurda district and his last rites will be performed at Puri Swargadwar," he said.
Born in 1961, Muduli had more than 3000 songs to his name. He has sung various hit bhajans like 'Kala Saante Acha Kemante' and 'Jaga Pain Niti Mali Phula' which had won hearts of millions of Odias. He was known to be an ardent devotee of Lord Jagannath and used to turn down big offers to sing commercial movie songs instead of bhajans.
Several noted personalities condoled the death of Muduli. Expressing his condolences to Muduli's family, Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said "Deeply saddened by the death of noted singer Arabinda Muduli. May his soul rest in peace."
Kendrapara MP Baijayant Panda termed his death as an irreparable loss for Odia Bhajan industry. In a tweet, he also expressed condolences to the bereaved family.
"Arabinda was an ardent devotee of Lord Jagannath due to which he could sing heartfelt and captivating bhajans. People of all time have accepted him," renowned singer Pranab Patnaik said.
Noted music director and singer Manmath Mishra said "I always consider him as a son of Lord Jagannath but he used to deny me and assume himself as a servant of Lord Jagannath. I had a longstanding personal relationship with him. I lost a brother and Jagannath lovers lost a bhajan doyen. His death is irreplaceable".
"I fail to understand the justice of Lord Jagannath. He starts his day with Jay Jagannath and ends up with the same. I couldn't believe that he is no more. May his soul rest in peace," said a teary-eyed Gita Das, veteran singer.