Cuttack: Revolutionary Odia poet Rabi Singh is no more. He passed away at his Khapuria based residence here in the wee hours of Sunday. Singh was 89.
Family sources said he was suffering from old-age related ailments and was not keeping well for last several days.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik took to his Twitter to express his condolence on the demise of the poet. He also declared state funeral for the poet for his immense contribution to the freedom movement and Odia literature.
ବିପ୍ଳବୀ କବି ରବି ସିଂଙ୍କ ଦେହାନ୍ତ ବିଷୟରେ ଜାଣି ମୁଁ ଦୁଃଖିତ। ଓଡ଼ିଆ ସାହିତ୍ୟ ଜଗତକୁ ସମୃଦ୍ଧ କରିଥିବା ତାଙ୍କ କ୍ରାନ୍ତିକାରୀ ରଚନା ତାଙ୍କୁ ସର୍ବଦା ସ୍ମରଣୀୟ କରି ରଖିବ। ତାଙ୍କ ଅମର ଆତ୍ମାର ସଦଗତି କାମନା କରିବା ସହ ଶୋକସନ୍ତପ୍ତ
ପରିବାରବର୍ଗଙ୍କ ପ୍ରତି ମୋର ସମବେଦନା ଜଣାଉଛି।— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) February 2, 2020
“His death has created a great void in modern Odia literature. His poems were remarkable in carrying the values of socialism, human rights and equality of classes,” he added.
Singh will be remembered for days to come for his eternal creations which include ‘Lal Pagoda Ra Preta’, ‘Padatika’ and ‘Sarbahara’. Noted for his frank opinions and selection of words to convey his message, some of his best creations include ‘Patha Prantara Kabita’, ‘Apritikara Kabita’, ‘Bishabani’, ‘Kshata’ and ‘Bhanga Hatara Kabita’.
For his contribution to Odia literature, Singh was conferred with ‘Odisha Sahitya Akademi’ award in 1961 and ‘Atibadi Jagannath Das Award’ in 2017.
PNN