Odisha

Know Struggle Of Odisha’s Padma Shri Awardee Shyamamani Devi To Become A Singer

By
OB Bureau

Bhubaneswar: Eminent vocalist of Odisha Shyamamani Devi, who has been nominated for Padma Shri award for her contribution to the field of arts, is an established name in Odissi music.

Shyamamani is highly acclaimed for her renditions of Odissi, Chhanda and Champu, authored by medieval Odia musician-poets Upendra Bhanja, Baladeba Rath, Banamali Das, Gopalakrusna and others. She is also known for her renditions of light music such as traditional Odia folk music and modern songs.

But her rise to popularity and fame was not an easy path. When she started singing at the age of 12, she had to face criticism and strong opposition from the society at a time when singing by a girl was looked down upon.

Undeterred by the obstacles, Shyamamani continued to pursue her passion to singing and music. She started her singing career at All India Radio, Cuttack at the age of 12 in 1950.

She has taken training in classical music from Adiguru Pandit Singhari Shyamsundar Kar and Sangita Sudhakara Balakrushna Dash. Later, she pursued a course in voice culture under BR Deodhar.

A disciple of Kundala Adinarayana Rao, she learnt light classical music from Nirmala Devi in Mumbai and Pandit Lakhmi Shankar.

Known as ‘koel’ (cuckoo) of Odisha, Shaymamani was inspired by the songs of her times like Lata Mangeshkar, Noor Jehan, Rajkumari and Siddheshwari Devi.

In the course of her singing career, she has been honoured with several awards including Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi award in 1994, Lifetime Achievement award from Chandigarh University in 2004, Honourary Doctorate from Utkal University of Culture in 2012, Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja award and Guru Keluchanran Mohapatra Samman in 2017.

In 2018, filmmaker Santosh Gaur directed a documentary on her life and work titled ‘Shyamamani Devi – Odissi Classical vocalist’.

Youngest daughter of Rajendra Mohan Pattnaik and Nishamani Pattnaik, Shyamamani was born at Subarnapur village in Cuttack district on December 21 in 1938. She  completed her graduation from Shailabala Women’s College in Cuttack and got married to late Mayadhar Behera, who was a medicine practitioner. She has a son and two daughters.

OB Bureau

Recent Posts

19-Yr-Old Gangraped, Filmed & Blackmailed In Odisha’s Cuttack City; 6 Including Boyfriend Arrested

Cuttack: Badambadi police have arrested six persons for allegedly gangraping and blackmailing a college girl…

November 8, 2024

Salman Khan Gets Yet Another Threat Over Song Linking Him With Lawrence Bishnoi

New Delhi: A day after the threat to Shah Rukh Khan, Bollywood actor Salman Khan…

November 8, 2024

OHRC Seeks Report From Odisha Govt On Mango Kernel Deaths In Kandhamal

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has sent notices to Secretaries of Food &…

November 7, 2024

Why Are Kartik Aaryan’s Parents Scared Of Bollywood?

New Delhi: Even as his recently-released horror comedy ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’ continues to mint money…

November 7, 2024

How Delhi Police Cracked Gangrape Of Odisha Researcher; Cop In Guise Of Social Worker, Footage Of 700 CCTVs

New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: After over 20 days of investigation and analysing more than 700 CCTV cameras,…

November 7, 2024

‘No Notification Exists’: HC Closes Plea Against 1988 Ban On Salman Rushdie’s ‘The Satanic Verses’

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has closed proceedings on a petition challenging the Rajiv…

November 7, 2024

Criticised For Touching His Wife’s Feet, Vikrant Massey Gives It Back To Trollers

Mumbai: ‘12th Fail’ actor Vikrant Massey recently got trolled after pictures of him touching his…

November 7, 2024

Threat Call: Was Shah Rukh Khan Targeted For His Deer-Hunting Dialogue In ‘Anjaam’?

Mumbai: Mumbai Police swung into action immediately after Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan received a…

November 7, 2024