Sambalpur: Lyricist of the cult Sambalpuri number ‘Rangabati’ Mitrabhanu Gauntia’s has been admitted to a hospital after he developed some health complications.
The 78-year-old has been admitted to a hospital here and his condition is stated to be serious.
Gauntia was honoured with Padma Shri in 2020. Singer of the song Jitendra Haripal was conferred with Padma Shri in 2017.
Winner of Odisha State Sangeet Natak Academy Award and Akashvani National Award for music, he starting writing at the age of 15. Gauntia was also honoured by Sambalpur University for his creations, which includesPakhal Khuri Thi Mahara, Rakshya Kabacha, Gaon Amar Maa, Draupadi Haran and Jhee Ratan.
He has also won the Odisha State Teachers Award in 2003 for his contribution to the field of education.
To honour the lyricist, the Renevue Department had renamed his village Bilung as ‘Rangabati Bilung’ in 2017.
‘Rangabati’ was recorded for All India Radio (AIR) Sambalpur’s Surmalika programme in 1975-76. After its popularity, Indian Record Manufacturing Company Ltd (INRECO), a record company in Kolkata, re-recorded the song in disc format in 1976. It, however, had a delayed release in 1978–79 following some dispute.
