The Odia music industry is in deep mourning following the demise of legendary vocalist Geeta Patnaik. The veteran singer passed away Sunday evening at a private hospital in Cuttack while undergoing treatment for a brain stroke. She was 73.
Patnaik, a household name since the 1970s, fell ill during a literary event last Thursday. Despite intensive care, she was declared brain dead. Known for her iconic collaborations with the late Akshaya Mohanty, her hits include:
"Phur Kina Udigala Bani"
"Danei Das Kahere Bhai"
"Nadi Fere Sagaraku"
A recipient of the State Film Award, her soulful voice defined Odia cinema’s golden era. Leaders across the state, including CM Mohan Charan Majhi and Naveen Patnaik, expressed profound grief, calling her death an "irreparable loss" to Odisha's cultural heritage.