Bhubaneswar: Veteran Odia Bhajan singer Shantilata Barik Chhotray passed away at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar Monday evening. She was 64.
Her husband Basant Chhotray informed that the singer will be cremated Tuesday at the Swargadwar crematorium in Puri.
The popular singer has lent her voice to a large number of popular Odia bhajans, including ‘Jagannath Tume Bada Chhalia’, ‘Thaka Mana Chala Jiba’, ‘He Chakanayan’, ‘Mun je Deula Bedha’, and ‘Kaaliare’.
Shantilata has sung more than 2,000 devotional songs.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik lamented the passing away of the eminent singer and added that she will be cremated with full state honours.
“I am saddened to learn the demise of popular singer Shantilata Barik. It is an irreparable loss to the cultural world of Odisha,” Patnaik said.
PNN