Bhubaneswar, August 3:Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday expressed deep sorrow over the demise of eminent Pala singer and Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee Pandit Jagannath Behera, calling his passing an irreparable loss to Odisha’s rich cultural heritage.

In a post on X, the Chief Minister paid glowing tributes to the veteran folk artiste, stating that Behera’s exceptional contribution to the preservation, promotion, and popularisation of the traditional folk art form of Pala would always be remembered.

Majhi said Pandit Behera’s lifelong dedication to the art form, combined with his scholarly contributions, had greatly enriched Odisha’s cultural legacy. He described the veteran artiste’s death as a significant loss to the state’s cultural fraternity.

The Chief Minister also extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed to Lord Jagannath to grant eternal peace to the departed soul.

“His unparalleled contributions to the preservation, promotion, and propagation of our traditional folk art ‘Pala’ will forever remain memorable. His devoted artistic practice and scholarship have enriched our cultural world,” Majhi said in his condolence message.