Remembering the Icons – A Tribute to Lost Legends of Odia Entertainment in 2023

Bhubaneswar: The past few years, marked by the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, have brought immense heartache to communities worldwide. We’ve mourned the loss of numerous esteemed personalities and idols who contributed significantly to humanity. In the ongoing aftermath of the pandemic, our state of Odisha, like the rest of the world, continues to grapple with the aftermath.

Regrettably, in the year 2023, the Odia entertainment industry has bid farewell to several luminaries. These individuals, who played pivotal roles in shaping and enriching our cultural landscape, have left an indelible mark on the hearts of many. As we navigate the challenges of the post-COVID era, it is fitting to pay tribute to these invaluable assets of the Odia entertainment realm who are no longer with us.

This article serves as a heartfelt remembrance and acknowledgment of the profound contributions made by these departed souls. May their legacies endure and continue to inspire generations within and beyond the borders of Odisha.

• Swarup Nayak : Renowned Odia music composer, lyricist, and director Swarup Nayak passed away on October 27 at a Cuttack hospital, succumbing to cancer. Known for his impactful contributions to Odia cinema, Nayak composed music for 54 films, including classics like “Sahara Jaluchi” and “Premi No 1.” Starting his career as a child artist in 1962, he made his mark as a director with the film “Hiranila.” Nayak’s legacy is etched in the heart of Odia entertainment, his compositions continuing to resonate with audiences and leaving an enduring impact on the industry.

 

• Hussain Rabi Gandhi : Hussain Rabi Gandhi, the distinguished writer and former president of Odisha Sahitya Akademi, passed away on January 29 due to cardiac arrest at SCB Medical College and Hospital at the age of 75. A prolific literary figure, Gandhi authored numerous works, including 13 anthologies of poems, leaving an indelible mark on Odia literature. Serving as the president of Odisha Sahitya Akademy from 2008 to 2010, he was recognized for his contributions with the Secular India Harmony Award in 1993 by former president Giani Zail Singh and the Gangadhar Meher Kabita Award in 2015. His legacy as a literary luminary and influential leader in the cultural landscape of Odisha will be remembered with deep reverence.

 

• Jayanta Mahapatra: Renowned poet and literary figure Jayanta Mahapatra, aged 95, passed away on August 27 at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. The recipient of the Padma Shri in 2009, Mahapatra authored 27 books of poems, seven in Odia and the rest in English, including notable works like “Relationship” and “Bare Face.” His contributions extended beyond poetry to diverse forms of prose, with books like “Green Gardener” and “Door of Paper: Essay and Memoirs.” As the editor of the literary magazine Chandrabhaga, Mahapatra’s influence reached global audiences, with his poems featured in prestigious anthologies. His legacy as a distinguished poet, writer, and editor leaves an enduring mark on the literary world.

• Pintu Nanda: Odia actor Pintu Nanda, aged 47, passed away on March 2 at Yashoda Hospital in Hyderabad, where he was undergoing treatment for liver cirrhosis. Initially admitted in Bhubaneswar, he later sought advanced treatment at the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences in New Delhi before succumbing to his illness in Hyderabad during a liver transplant. Known for his roles in over 40 films, including ‘Wrong Number’ and ‘Bahudibe Mo Jagabaliya,’ Pintu Nanda won hearts with his performance in the critically acclaimed ‘Randi Pua Ananta.’ His untimely demise is a significant loss to the Odia entertainment industry, where he had earned the Best Actor Comedy Award for ‘Wrong Number.’

• Jatra comedian Rabi Satpathy: Jatra artiste and stand-up comedian Rabi Satpathy, aged 68, passed away at his residence in Agapada, Jagatsinghpur district, on November 18. Succumbing to cancer after a prolonged battle, Satpathy began his career in Opera with the hit play ‘Saguna Basichi Dena Melai,’ playing the role of Padu Mohanty. He was associated with various opera parties, leaving a lasting impact on the Odia entertainment scene. His demise marks the end of an era in Jatra and comedy in Odisha.

• Binodini Devi: In October, Odisha bid farewell to Binodini Devi, the trailblazing first woman lyricist of the Odia film industry, who passed away in Angul. A recognized lyricist of Akashvani (All India Radio), she embarked on her Ollywood journey with the film ‘Malajanha’ in 1965. Binodini Devi gained widespread acclaim for her poetic contributions to films like ‘Tapoi’ (1978), ‘Sri Jagannath’ (1979), ‘Maha Sati Savitri’ (1983), and ‘Jay Jagannath’ (2007). Some of her timeless songs, including ‘Mu Tuma Bandhu Nuhen Bandhu’ and ‘Aei Kala Mor Kalank,’ resonated with audiences. Her literary legacy extended beyond cinema, with song collections such as ‘Khokitie Khokitie’ (1986) and ‘Amruta’ (1996), showcasing her versatility and impact on Odia music and culture. Binodini Devi’s departure marks the end of an era, leaving behind a treasure trove of lyrical masterpieces.

• Sudharani Jena: In August, the Odia film industry mourned the loss of Sudharani Jena, a veteran actress and accomplished doctor, after a brief illness. Jena, a multi-faceted personality, began her acting journey in the 1960s while pursuing medicine, starring in ‘Parinama’ produced by Kabiraj Krushnachandra Tripathy Sharma. After a hiatus, she returned to the cinematic realm in 1976, leaving an indelible mark on the Odia film industry. Renowned for her outstanding performances in iconic films like ‘Gapahele Bi Sata,’ ‘Ram Balram,’ ‘Kaveri,’ ‘Jhia Ti Sita Par,’ ‘Sankha Mahuri,’ and ‘Topae Sindura Di Pata Sankha,’ Jena earned accolades and won the Best Actress award for four consecutive years. Her legacy as a versatile actor and accomplished doctor remains etched in the annals of Odia cinema.

 

The recent losses in the Odia entertainment industry have left an indelible void, casting a poignant shadow on the cultural landscape. From the melodic compositions of Swarup Nayak to the literary prowess of Hussain Rabi Gandhi, the versatile performances of Pintu Nanda, the comedic brilliance of Rabi Satpathy, the trailblazing lyrics of Binodini Devi, and the multifaceted contributions of Sudharani Jena, each departure signifies the end of an era. As we collectively mourn, their enduring legacies stand as a testament to their invaluable contributions, inspiring generations to come. In the wake of these losses, we pay heartfelt tributes to these luminaries, cherishing the cultural treasures they have bequeathed to Odisha and beyond. May their artistic spirits continue to resonate, guiding and influencing the future of Odia creativity.