Bhubaneswar: The last rites of noted Odia singer Geeta Patnaik were performed at the Sati Chaura crematorium in Cuttack on Monday. Her relative, Prasanna Patra, lit the funeral pyre in the presence of family members, well-wishers and admirers.
The 73-year-old singer passed away on Sunday evening while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Cuttack.
According to family sources, Patnaik had fallen ill on February 12 while attending a literary programme in Bhubaneswar. She was immediately admitted to hospital, where doctors diagnosed her with a brain stroke. Despite intensive medical care and efforts to stabilise her condition, she breathed her last.
Geeta Patnaik’s melodious voice had been a familiar presence in the Odia music world since 1970. In 1971, she became an approved singer of All India Radio (Akashvani), a milestone that firmly established her in the state’s cultural landscape.
Over the decades, she rendered numerous memorable songs and became especially popular for singing compositions by legendary musician Akshaya Mohanty. Her soulful renditions earned her a devoted listener base across Odisha.
In addition to her contributions to non-film music, Patnaik also made her mark in cinema, lending her voice to around 15 Odia films as a playback singer.
Her demise has left the Odia music fraternity in mourning, with artists and cultural figures remembering her as a dedicated performer whose voice enriched generations of listeners.
