Odisha’s legendary music director Shantanu Mohapatra passed away at a private hospital on Tuesday at the age of 84. He was reportedly suffering from Kidney-related ailments and was admitted to hospital for the same.
In his career spanning over six decades, Mohapatra has worked with many iconic Bollywood artists like Lata Mangeshkar, Mohd Rafi, Manna Dey, Usha Mangeshkar, Suresh Wadekar, Anuradha Paudwal, Usha Uthup, and Kavita Krishnamurthy.
He is credited for composing the first Modern Odia Ballad “Konark Gatha” with lyricist Gurukrushna Goswami and sung by Akshay Mohanty. He is also known for writing ‘Kalijae’ which was sung by Sikandar Alam.
Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal, Andhra Pradesh Governor B B Harichandan, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and many dignitaries mourned the demise of Mohapatra.
“As a lyricist and music director, he has left the shining signature of his talent. His entire life was dedicated to music. The music directed by him will keep him immortal forever,” said the Chief Minister.
Mohapatra’s notable works in Odia films include ‘Mayuri go’ (Arundhati), ‘Jaa jare bhasi ja’ (Chilika teeray), ‘Mun khoji bule’ (Agni Parikhya), ‘Sei jhilmil’ (Megha Mukti), ‘Mun ta thili ekutia’ (Dora), ‘Subhadra kande na’ (Jaga Balia), ‘Mun jibi’ (Golamgiri), ‘Kete je sukha’ (Mukti Tirtha) among others.