Odisha Govt To Institute Sunanda Samman In Memory Of Legendary Singer

Bhubaneswar: As a mark of tribute to the legendary Hindustani classical singer late Sunanda Patnaik, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday announced that the Odisha government will institute Sunanda Samman and set up the Guruma Sunanda Patnaik Chair.

The Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi will confer Sunanda Samman to an eminent classical singer of Odisha every year for his/her immense contribution in the field of classical music.

Besides, the Guruma Sunanda Patnaik Chair will be set up in the Utkal University of Culture for higher studies and research in classical music, said a release by the Chief Minster’s Office here.

In memory of the late singer, the Odia Language Literature & Culture Department, in association with the Guru Kelu Charan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre, Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi and Information and Public Relations Department will organise a state-level condolence meeting at the Guru Kelu Charan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre on Wednesday.

The renowned singer and daughter of legendary Odia poet Baikunthanath Patnaik had passed away at a private hospital in Kolkata on January 19 at the age of 85 after a prolonged illness.