Cuttack: The Odia music fraternity bid a tearful farewell to veteran singer Geeta Pattanaik, whose last rites were performed at Sati Chaura crematorium in Cuttack on Monday.
Patnaik had passed away on Sunday evening while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Cuttack. She had suffered a brain stroke during a cultural program in Bhubaneswar on January 12.
Sources said her relative brother Prasanna Patra lit the funeral pyre, marking the final journey of the celebrated artiste.
Beginning her musical journey in the 1970s, Patnaik became an artiste at Akashvani (All India Radio) in 1971. She went on to lend her voice to numerous Odia songs, collaborating with legendary music director Akshaye Mohanty for films. Over her career, she sang for 15 Odia films, leaving behind a rich legacy of playback music.
Her contributions were recognised with prestigious honours, including the State Film Award for Best Playback Singing and the Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. She also recorded songs in Hindi, Gujarati, Rajasthani and Marathi, showcasing her wide-ranging talent and appeal.
Fans, fellow musicians and admirers remembered her soulful voice and immense contribution to the state’s music industry.
