Bhubaneswar: Former Chief Secretary of Odisha Subas Pani passed away in Bhubaneswar on Monday. He was 76.
Pani, who is survived by his wife and two daughters, will be cremated at Satyanagar crematorium here at noon, sources said.
He also served as Deputy Election Commissioner, Election Commission of India, Secretary Rural Development and Land Resources and Secretary, Planning Commission in Government of India.
Pani was an accomplished author, translator, composer, and creative director with a PhD on Jayadeva’s Geeta Govinda. He has been a commentator for Doordarshan’s national and international telecasts of Rath Yatra for over 20 years. His publications include ‘Orissa: Her Monuments and Their Tales’, ‘Palm Leaf Paintings of Orissa’, ‘Jagannatha Consciousness‘, ‘Balasore, its Historical & Cultural Heritage‘, and ‘Blue Hill: Hymns to Jagannatha’ (English translations from Sanskrit and Odia). He translated the biography of Odissi guru Kelucharan Mahapatra into Odia. He composed music for a set of five audio CDs titled “Sampoora Geetagovinda”, released by SAREGAMA in 2008.
He also curated major cultural festivals and collaborated on new dance choreography for Geeta Govinda’s songs.
A life member of the Computer Society of India (CSI), he was conferred its prestigious fellowship in 2009. He was also a life member of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH).
Taking to his X handle, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi expressed grief over his death. “I am deeply saddened and heartbroken to hear about the demise of Subas Pani, the former Chief Secretary of the Odisha Government, a distinguished researcher of Jagannath culture, and a writer. His passing is an irreparable loss for all of us. I express my condolences to the bereaved family and pray to Lord Jagannath for the peace of the departed soul. Om Shanti,” he wrote.
Deputy Chief Minister K V Singh Deo hailed the legacy of the former bureaucrat that spans literature, governance, and the arts. “Deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Subas Pani—renowned author, translator, composer, and creative visionary whose scholarship on Jayadeva’s *Geetagovinda* enriched India’s cultural heritage. A distinguished civil servant, he served with grace and intellect as Chief Secretary to the Government of Odisha and Secretary to the Government of India. His legacy spans literature, governance, and the arts—each marked by depth, dignity, and devotion. May Mahaprabhu Jagannath bless his soul to find eternal peace,” he posted on X.