Always young at heart, an artist with a rich taste
Odisha’s leading film celebrity Sarat Pujari is no more. The veteran actor and director and former President of Odisha Sangeet Natak Academy died of a massive heart attack early on Monday morning at a private hospital here. He was 81 and is survived by his wife, two daughters and two sons. His last rites were held at the Swargadwar at Puri.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Governor SC Jamir expressed profound grief over Dr Pujari’s demise. Jamir described Pujari as “a true cultural icon of Odisha”. In his message, the Chief Minister said the State lost a talented actor and educationist.
Beginning his acting career in the tenth Odia film Sri Sri Mahalakshmi Puja, Dr Pujari entered the Ollywood in 1958 while serving as a teacher in a private college in western Odisha. Since then, he acted in about 50 films.
Many admirers of Dr Pujari like well-known filmmaker and academic Nirad N Mohapatra, while grieving his death described him as “A young man at heart, an artist with a rich taste”. Despite his failing health, he attended all important cultural events and gave the impression that he was fit as a fiddle. His enthusiasm for good cinema and his camaraderie with the younger generation were hallmarks of his personality, they said.
Sarat Pujari was born on August 8, 1934 at Khandapada in Nayagarh district though originally his parents were natives of Jhaduapada in Sambalpur town. His early education was completed in many schools all over Odisha. He completed his post-graduation in Economics and Diploma in Paintings in Allahabad University in 1956.