Melodious voice falls silent: Eminent Odia singer Geeta Pattnaik cremated in Cuttack

The last rites of renowned Odia singer Geeta Pattnaik were performed at the Satichaura crematorium in Cuttack on Monday. 

Her relative brother, Prasanna Patra, lit the funeral pyre in the presence of family members, well-wishers, and admirers from the music fraternity.

Pattnaik breathed her last on Sunday evening at the age of 73 while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Cuttack. She had reportedly suffered a brain stroke after falling ill during a literary event in Bhubaneswaron February 12. Despite the best efforts of doctors to revive her, she could not recover.

A prominent voice in Odia music since the 1970s, Pattnaik’s melodious renditions earned her immense popularity among listeners. In 1971, she was recognised as an approved artist of All India Radio, marking a significant milestone in her musical journey.

She lent her voice to numerous memorable compositions, including several songs by legendary Odia musician Akshaya Mohanty, which further cemented her place in the hearts of music lovers. Over the course of her career, she rendered playback singing for nearly 15 Odia films and received the State Film Award for Best Playback Singer.

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Her contributions to the field of music were widely acknowledged. She was honoured with the Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and the Odisha Geetikabi Samman, among several other accolades.

Beyond Odia, Pattnaik showcased her versatility by singing in Hindi, Gujarati, Rajasthani, and Marathi languages. She was especially known for her devotional songs, bhajans, jananas, chhandas, champus, and modern tracks.

With her passing, Odisha has lost one of its most cherished musical voices, leaving behind a rich legacy that will continue to resonate with generations to come.