Bhubaneswar: For generations of Odias, loneliness had a soundtrack in “Seemahina Dariya… Sathihina Duniya” and longing found expression in “Majhire…”. On Friday, the voice behind those immortal melodies fell silent. Veteran playback singer Pranab Patnaik, one of the most distinctive voices in Odia music, died at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar at the age of 88.With his crystal-clear vocals and effortless command over emotion, Patnaik shaped the soundscape of Odia cinema and modern music for more than six decades. Widely credited for introducing and popularising the ghazal style in Odia music, he moved seamlessly across genres, singing Odissi, folk, semi-classical and film songs.His rendition of “Majhire” from the film Sesha Shravan remains etched in the collective memory of Odia music lovers. Songs such as “Seemahina Dariya… Sathihina Duniya”, “Emiti Rati Se Je Abhula Smruti”, “Re Mita Aa Sangata”, “Chandramallika”, “Keun Nama Dhari” and “Kala Kalebara Kanhai” have continued to captivate listeners across generations.Over a career spanning more than six decades, Patnaik recorded over 200 songs for films, albums and radio programmes. Born on Jan 20, 1938, he began his musical journey with All India Radio before making his playback debut in the 1958 film Maa. He later shared the microphone with legendary singers such as S Janaki, Vani Jairam, P Susheela, Usha Mangeshkar and Bhupinder Singh, while working with some of Odisha‘s most celebrated composers, including Akshaya Mohanty, Balakrushna Das, Santanu Mahapatra and Prafulla Kar.Recognition followed excellence. Patnaik won the Odisha State Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer six times between 1976 and 1993 for films including Sindura Bindu, Astaraga, Jhiati Sita Pari, Kanyadaan, Pratishodh Aparadha Nuhen and Asha. He was conferred the prestigious Jayadev Samman for 2016, Odisha’s highest honour for a film personality, and also received the Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1997-98, besides several other accolades.Even in his twilight years, music remained his constant companion. In 2022, he lent his voice to Balighara, a music video that drew widespread appreciation and reminded audiences of the enduring charm of his singing.Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi, leader of opposition Naveen Patnaik and Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Bhakta Charan Das were among those who condoled his death. They described his passing as an irreparable loss to Odisha’s music and film fraternity.A steady stream of admirers from the worlds of cinema, music, literature and politics visited his Bhubaneswar residence to pay their last respects. He was accorded a guard of honour before his mortal remains were taken to his Cuttack residence, where family members, friends and admirers offered floral tributes. His last rites were performed at Khannagar crematorium in Cuttack.The son of former Odisha Assembly Speaker Lal Mohan Patnaik, Pranab Patnaik is survived by his wife, Kasturi Patnaik, and two sons. His voice may have faded into silence, but the songs that defined an era will continue to echo through Odisha’s cultural memory.