Bhubaneswar: Renowned singer Nirmala Mishra, best known for her Odia and Bengali songs, breathed at her residence in southern Kolkata’s Chetla area in the early hours of Sunday. She was 81.
“She suffered a massive heart attack around 12.05 am and was taken to the nearest nursing home, where the singer was declared dead,” a doctor told PTI.
According to film historian Surya Deo, Nirmala had become a household name in Odisha, having rendered her voice to over 20 Odia films during the 1960s and 1970s. She made her foray into the Odia film industry with ‘Shri Lokanath’ under the music direction of Balakrushna Dash in 1960. “She earned recognition with the song Aaji Akashe Ki Ranga Laagila,” he said.
Besides Balakrushna Dash, Nirmala also collaborated with several renowned and contemporary Odia music directors like Akshaya Mohanty, Rakhal Mohanty and Shantanu Mohapatra
Her other timeless classics include Sanja Sakale (Stree), Nida Bhara Rati Madhu Jhara Janha (Anutap), Mo Mana Binara Tare (Manika Jodi), Jibana Jamunare Juara Uthere (Amadabata), Mayaghera Madhubane (Dasyu Ratnakara), Ja Jare Bhasija Manapabana Nauka (Chilika Tire) and Aei Bhara Jahan Rati (Adina Megha).
“She also sang for All India Radio, Cuttack. Her songs are available on Gramaphone,” Deo added.
Nirmala was conferred with Sangeet Sudhakar Balakrushna Das Award for her lifetime contribution to Odia music.
