Bhubaneswar: Well-known Odia Bhajan singer Santilata Barik Chhotray passed away at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar on Monday following a prolonged illness.
The renowned singer breathed her last this evening after battling serious health complications, according to her husband Basant Chhotray,
Regarded as an iconic figure in Odia devotional music, she was battling with serious health complications. She was undergoing treatment for quite some time.
The legendary singer has rendered her melodious voice to a number of Odia Bhajan classics, including ‘Jagannath Tume Bada Chhalia,’ ‘Thaka Mana Chala Jiba,’ ‘Mun Je Deula Bedha,’ and ‘Kaaliare.’
Widely recognised and revered in households across the state, she had carved a special identity in the world of music in the state and outside. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has expressed deep grief over the passing away of the renowned vocalist.
In a condolence message, the Chief Minister said that Barik was a unique devotee of Lord Jagannath. She was well known in every household for her Jagannath bhajans.
Describing her demise as an irreparable loss to the cultural world of Odisha, the Chief Minister has paid deep tributes. The Chief Minister has announced that the cremation of the eminent singer will be done with state honour.
Expressing deep grief over the passing away of Barik, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that the world of music has suffered an irreparable loss with her demise.