BHUBANESWAR: Sebarani Mohapatra, an eminent singer, won Akshay Smriti Sanmaan for best singer category at Sarala Bhawan in Cuttack recently.
She started learning music from her father Ras Bihari Mohapatra at the age of 10. She also happens to be the great granddaughter of Kanta Kabi Laxmi Kanta Mohapatra. Her first guru in Hindustani classical music was Rajanikanta Padhi. She also learnt under the tutelage of Late JVS RAO.
Being a classical singer, she has won many accolades in her singing career. She has been showcasing her immense musical talent through All India Radio since 1988.
In a brief interaction with Orissa Post, She said, “This award truly means a lot to me.” She is currently partnering Panchanan Music Vision along with famous Odia lyricist Panchanan Nayak.
Her famous tracks were Barsha from movie Kanha under music director Basudev Rath and her Bhajan song Daria Se Pari with Samrat Music Company. On being queried about her favourite music genre, she said, “A singer shouldn’t have any limitations. As a Hindustani vocal singer, I am comfortable with bhajans, movie songs as well as contemporary modern songs.”
“However, I truly detest and avoid cheap lyrics and songs which are commonplace these days. Music is the blessing of Goddess Saraswati on humanity. The people who are polluting it should be boycotted from the industry.”
Her husband Bibhuti Prasad Mohanty is a great supporter of her passion. Famous music director and singer Prafulla Kar has always inspired her to sing well. He said, “Sebarani’s voice is perfect for bhajans.”