Bhikari Bal, popularly known as Bhajan Samrat to Odias, was a singer known far and wide for his devotional songs. He was a great devotee of Lord Jagannath which reflected in his singing. His dedication to the form of Bhajans in Odia made him a household name.
‘Bhajan Samrat’ Title
Bhikari Bal, popularised many folk songs, Champu, Chhanda and old devotional poems. His moving rendition of Bhajans written by old poets like Gopalkrushna, Dinakrushna, Baladev, Banamali and Salabega are still popular today. His Jagannath bhajans and Gita Govinda recital made him very popular in every nook and corner of Odisha. He was awarded the title of Bhajan Samrat by the Puri Gajapati and was given special privileges inside the temple for his devotional tribute to Lord Jagannath.
Film Music
He has also recorded songs for Odia movies like ‘Bhakta Salabega’, ‘Agnipariksha’, ‘Mathura Bijaya’, ‘Abhilasa’, ‘Amar Prem’, ‘Kie Kahara’ and ‘Srikrushna Rasa Leela’.
Early Childhood
Bhikari Bal was born in Sobala in Kendrapara on May 22, 1925. After primary school education, he enrolled in Kadalibana High School in Kendrapara district and studied up to Class IX.
Jatra & Singing
After that, he joined the Jatra party of Sobala and there he learned to sing, act and play the harmonium and later he joined a local school as a music teacher. He got married at the age of 20 and moved to Cuttack for better opportunities. He found the job of an Odissi vocalist at Kalabikash Kendra in Cuttack.
The Song
Bhikari Bal shot to fame with the bhajan “Kotha Bhoga Khiya” which went on to become the most popular song of the 70s. Many other popular bhajans followed.
As A Teacher
The noted singer was also a dedicated music teacher, known as a hard task master among his pupils, many of whom give credit to him even today for making them pursue music with passion and dedication.
Last Days
The singer was bed-ridden for about a year and passed away on November 2 2005.
Here are some tweets celebrating his rich legacy:
ହାତରେ ମୁଠା ମୁଠା ଶରଧାବାଲି..
କୋଠ ଭୋଗ ଖିଆ..
ମୁଁ ତ ବଡ଼ଦେଉଳର ପାରାରେ..#ଭଜନସମ୍ରାଟ #ଭିକାରୀ_ବଳ ଙ୍କ ପୂଣ୍ୟତିଥିରେ ଭକ୍ତିପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଶ୍ରଦ୍ଧାଞ୍ଜଳି। ?
#BhikariBala
A link of his few collections for #Wink app users ?https://t.co/BLqZfdb1ur pic.twitter.com/X6NYd1hEhb— TheAnonymous (@TheAnonymoz) November 2, 2021
Bhajana Samaroh Puri : 1994.
Unseen Photo of Sri #BhikariBala with Smt Santilata Barik , Smt Arati Mishra . @alpharay63 @RealPushpitaDas @OdishaJubaSakti @justlalit @imalayamohanty @Rabipandacug @e_panda @TheValour1 @SurajitTweet @PrabeenSahu3 pic.twitter.com/F7QW0RvXir
— Prashant Sahu ?? (@suryanandannet) November 2, 2020
a Tribute to Bhajan Samrat Bhikari Bala : Aahwaan Odia Podcast https://t.co/ohiR8DweJm via @YouTube #bhikaribala #bhajansamrat #bhajan @Culturedeptt @odisha_tourism
— ଆହ୍ବାନ ଇ-ପତ୍ରିକା (@aahwaan) November 2, 2020
Some tweets from his birth anniversary:
‘Kotha Bhogha Khia…’ by Bhikari Bal from his Album ..’Bhakti Pushpanjali’ ..in 1979.. the first solo devotional Album .. for any artiste .. till then … made him a household name… pic.twitter.com/5JWBYadD4w
— Odiamelody (@odiamelody) May 25, 2021
‘Jagabandhu Pari Jane Samanta…’ sung by Bhikari Bal.. from the Album released on the occasion of 1977 Nabakalebara….. pic.twitter.com/LzQLVMa5Ih
— Odiamelody (@odiamelody) May 25, 2021
‘Michhe Sina Mali Daki Daki.. ‘ written by Kavichandra Kalicharan Pattnaik… sung by Bhikari Bal… 1979…. pic.twitter.com/Q9T4AGTOc4
— Odiamelody (@odiamelody) May 24, 2021
ରେଡ଼ିଓ ଭର୍ସନ । ଆଧୁନିକ କିବୋର୍ଡ଼ ହେରିକା ଆଦୌ ନାହିଁ, ଆଉ ଘନଘନ ମର୍ଦ୍ଦଳ । ଭିକାରୀ ବଳଙ୍କ ସବୁ ଗୀତର ରେଡ଼ିଓ ଭର୍ସନ ସବୁବେଳେ ବେଶୀ ସୁନ୍ଦର ଥାଉଛି ଦେଖିଲି । ? https://t.co/SulwTx9mty
— Prateek Pattanaik (@pattaprateek) May 25, 2021
— Prateek Pattanaik (@pattaprateek) May 25, 2021
