Bhubaneswar, Dec 27: In 2023, Odisha experienced a profound and collective sense of sorrow as it bid farewell to several prominent personalities who passed away leaving a void among their loved ones, fans and admirers. Their departure marked not only the end of remarkable individual journeys but also the loss of invaluable contributors to the state's progress. Fans witnessed the untimely deaths of many beloved and notable figures. Let’s take a look at the prominent Odia personalities who died in 2023.
Swarup Nayak
Noted music composer, lyricist and director Swarup Naik passed away on October 27, while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Cuttack. He was diagnosed with cancer.
Nayak is noted for his works in Odia cinemas such as- Sahara Jaluchi ( 1998), Sindura Nuhen Khela Ghara ( 2002), I Love You ( 2004), Premi No 1 (2009) and Swayasiddha (2010). He has composed music for 54 Odia cinemas. Nayak started his career as a child artist in 1962. His first directed film as a music director was ‘Hiranila’.
Hussain Rabi Gandhi
Noted writer and former president of Odisha Sahitya Akademi Hussain Rabi Gandhi died due to cardiac arrest at SCB Medical College and Hospital on January 29. He was 75.
Gandhi has written several books including 13 anthologies of poems. He was also the president of Odisha Sahitya Akademy from 2008 to 2010. He received the Secular India Harmony Award from former president Giani Zail Singh in 1993 and Gangadhar Meher Kabita award in 2015.
Jayanta Mahapatra
Eminent poet and literature Jayanta Mohapatra passed away on August 27 at the age of 95. He breathed his last while undergoing treatment at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. He was conferred with a Padma Shri in 2009.
Mahapatra has authored 27 books of poems, of which seven are in Odia and the rest in English. His poetry volumes include Relationship, Bare Face and Shadow Space. Besides poetry, he has experimented widely with myriad forms of prose. His published books of prose include Green Gardener, an anthology of short stories and Door of Paper: Essay and Memoirs. Mahapatra is also a distinguished editor and has been bringing out the literary magazine, Chandrabhaga. His poems have appeared in prestigious poetry anthologies like The Dance of the Peacock: An Anthology of English Poetry from India published by Hidden Brook Press, Canada.
Pintu Nanda
Popular Odia actor Pintu Nanda passed away on March 2 while undergoing treatment at the Yashoda Hospital in Hyderabad. He was 47.
Pintu was suffering from liver cirrhosis admitted to a private hospital in Bhubaneswar. Later he was shifted to Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), New Delhi for advance treatment.However, later he was shifted to Yashoda Hospital in Hyderabad for liver transplant where he succumbed to his illness.
Pintu Nanda won the hearts of the audience by acting in many films, albums and serials. Pintu’s performance in Byasakabi Fakir Mohan’s story ‘Randi Pua Ananta’, which was aired on Durdarshan won many hearts. Later, he acted in more than 40 films including ‘Wrong Number’, And ‘Bahudibe Mo Jagabaliya’. He won the Best Actor Comedy Award for the film ‘Wrong Number’.
Jatra comedian Rabi Satpathy
Jatra artiste and stand-up comedian Rabi Satpathy passed away at his residence at Agapada under Kujanga block in Jagatsinghpur district on November 18. He was 68.
He breathed his last after a prolonged battle with cancer. Satpathy had started his career in Opera from super hit play ‘Saguna Basichi Dena Melai’ in which he appeared in Padu Mohanty character. He had also a part of several opera parties including Sibani Gananatya, Gouri Gananatya, Dhauli Gananatya, Konark Gananatya, Baghajatin Lokanatya, Indra Mahal, Rangamahal, Surya Mahal, Biswa Ranga Mahal.
