Bhubaneswar: Celebrated guitarist Debanshu Rath popularly known as Kabuli passed away at the age of 66. His demise has left fans and fellow musicians in shock.
Rath, also known as Kabuli, is survived by his wife Sujata Mishra, daughter Saloni (a vocalist), and son Jagannath.
A native of Puri, Rath was born in Bhubaneswar to Gangadhar Rath and Prabhavati Rath, a classical vocalist. He was the grandson of Khetra Mohan Kar, a tabla player and nephew of renowned singer Prafulla Kar.
Rath was leading an online guitar class from his Chennai home when he complained of severe chest pain, family sources said. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he passed away around 11 pm.
With a career spanning nearly four decades, Rath contributed to iconic soundtracks across multiple film industries, including A R Rahman’s ‘Roja’ and Imtiaz Ali’s ‘Rockstar’. His distinctive style influenced compositions by A R Rahman, Ilaiyaraaja, and others in Bollywood, Tollywood, Kollywood, Mollywood, and Ollywood.
In Odia films, Rath worked as a background music director and arranger for over 80 movies, collaborating with prominent music directors like Akshay Mohanty and Prafulla Kar.
Cine critic Shyama Prasad Mishra expressed condolences. Debanshu Rath’s final rites will be held in Chennai today, according to family sources.
