Pall Of Gloom Descends: Noted Odia Maestro Prafulla Kar No More
Bhubaneswar, April 18: With the passing away of Prafulla Kar, an era has ended in the musical horizon of the state and it leaves a void that is insurmountable in the annals of Odia music. Passing away of the maestro, however, leaves a trail of footprints which would still contribute to the musical repertoire of Odia music.
Eminent Odia musician and Padma Shri awardee Prafulla Kar passed away here on Sunday night. He was 83.
Right from pure classical to devotional , from popular numbers to a few flamboyant notes , Kar was fascinating combo of an illustrious class and quality.
According to family sources, Kar breathed his last at his residence at Satya Nagar in Bhubaneswar city. He was suffering from old-age related health issues.
His last rites will be performed on Monday at Puri Swargadwar with full state honours.
Born on February 16, 1939 Kar began singing in his college days, and made debut as a professional singer in the Odia film industry in 1962 with ‘Shri Shri Patita Pabana’. Thirteen years later in 1975, he began his journey as a music composer in the film ‘Mamata’.
Odia musician, singer, lyricist, writer and columnist who received Padma Shri in 2015 for his contribution in the field of arts had become a household name in 70s.
Born into a musician family in Puri, Bengal Presidency Kar’s uncle Khetra Mohan Kar was also a renowned Tabla Player.
Kar has worked as a music director and as singer in 70 Odia movies as well as in four Bangla films. The maestro had also composed music for numerous Odissi dance dramas and ballets. Some of his most popular songs in every Odia household are ‘Kamala Desha Rajakumara’, ‘Kalia mo dehe boli de to deha kala’, ‘Mo priya tharu kie adhika sundara’.
After getting this sad news, people from different walks of life thronged his house to pay last respect to the departed soul.
“Anguished by the passing away of Shri Prafulla Kar Ji. He will be remembered for his pioneering contribution to Odia culture and music. He was blessed with a multifaceted personality and his creativity was reflected in his works. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti.,” the Prime Minister said in a tweet.
Anguished by the passing away of Shri Prafulla Kar Ji. He will be remembered for his pioneering contribution to Odia culture and music. He was blessed with a multifaceted personality and his creativity was reflected in his works. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 18, 2022
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Odisha Governor Geneshi Lal, CM Naveen Patnaik, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and many eminent personalities paid condolences on his demise for the irreparable loss for the Odia music industry.
