Renowned Odia Bhajan Singer Santilata Barik Chhotray Passes Away at 64
Renowned Odia Bhajan singer Santilata Barik Chhotray (64) passed away at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar on Monday. The news was confirmed by her husband Basant Chhotray. Her death has saddened people across the state.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Governor Raghubar Das condoled her death.
Born on October 1, 1960, in Khordha, Santilatha Barik Chhotray was a true legend in the world of music. She studied singing at the Odisha Sangeet Mahavidyalaya under renowned gurus like Balakrushna Das, Markendeya Mohapatra, Singhari Shyamsundar Kar, and Gopal Panda.
With a rich legacy as a certified artiste of All India Radio, she is adored by Jagannath devotees of Odisha for his Odia Bhajan. Her repertoire includes more than 2,000 devotional songs.
In 2011, she was diagnosed with cancer and was battling serious health issues. Despite treatment at the Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital in Mumbai, her health deteriorated in 2022 and she was admitted to another hospital. Although she returned home in September 2023. However, on Monday, her health dramatically deteriorated.
She was admitted to a private hospital, where she died in the evening. Her body was taken to her residence in Kedargouri area of Bhubaneswar. According to family sources, her last rites will be performed today at Puri’s Swargadwara.
Santilata Barik made a distinctive contribution to Odia music with popular hymns such as ‘Bhaji Bhaji To Nama Chakanayan’, ‘Jagannath Tume Bada Chhalia’, ‘Thaka Mana Chala Jiba’, ‘Mun Je Deula Bedha’, and ‘Kaaliare’.
Her demise has left a deep void in the hearts of Odia music lovers Fans believe that his departure has left an irreparable gap in the Odia Bhajan industry. Santiltha Barik Chhotray’s memory will live on as a true music icon, revered by families across the state.
