Noted Odishi song guru Biswanath Mahapatra passed away in Puri. He was 82 and is survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters.
His body was consigned to flame in Swargadwara of Puri. Among the citations, he had received Odishi Sangeet Natak Academy Award in 2003, besides Sangeet Bhaskar in Odishi classical songs and music etc. He was the chief disciple of Sangeet Bhaskar Pandit Markandeya Mohapatra and Naba Kishore Das.
He was the first student of the then Durga Madhab Kala Pratistan of Puri, who had also visited various States to participate in songs and music with Odishi dance Guru Pankaj Charan Das, Devi Prasad Das and Sudhakar Sahu.
During the cremation, several eminent personalities and music lovers of the pilgrim city were present.