Pranab Kishore Pattnaik is a singer who redefined the destiny and direction of Odia music with his divine voice
Sanjay Bhatt
The trends in Odia music have changed many times. At times, this stream has mellowed under the influence of Bengali music, while at other times, it has become lively with the infusion of contemporary Hindi tunes. However, amidst this symphony of blending, Odia songs have never lost their originality.
The pure Odia melodies, distinctive pronunciation, and the essence of Odia music shine even brighter in the renditions of certain singers, evoking a mysterious and dreamy emotion that thrills the hearts of Odia people. Among these singers, the remarkable voice of the legendary Pranab Kishore Pattnaik stands out.
He is the singer who redefined the destiny and direction of Odia music with his divine voice. Any song that he performed transformed into a timeless monument of history, etched in the annals of Odia music forever.
Pranab Kishore Pattnaik was born on 20th January 1936. His father, Lal Mohan Pattnaik, was the Honourable Speaker of the Odisha Legislative Assembly.
Pranab Pattnaik is one of the finest singers in the Odia music industry, having dominated the field for over five decades. He has lent his voice to various genres, including Odissi, folk, devotional and bhajans, semi-classical, traditional, Hindi geet, and ghazals. Formally trained under Guru Kunal Adinarayan, he embarked on his musical journey in 1958, making his playback singing debut in the film Maa.
Over the years, he had the privilege of collaborating with renowned singers such as Hemlata, Vani Jairam, S. Janaki, P. Susheela, Nirmala Mishra, Bhupinder Singh, Usha Mangeshkar, and Haimanti Shukla, among others.
He is the only Odia playback singer to have received the ‘Best Playback Singer Award’ from the Government of Odisha on seven occasions. Known for his wide vocal range and unique style, his songs resonate deeply, allowing listeners to connect with the profound elements of creation.
Pranab Pattnaik has contributed his voice to over 200 Odia films, working with nearly all the leading music directors from Odisha and beyond.
(The writer is a visual artist and TV serial director. Views expressed are personal.)
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