The Nirvik Bureau, Bhubaneswar, 19 May 2025
Death Anniversary: May 19
Date of Passing: May 19, 2014
Today, as we observe the death anniversary of Sri Pramod Kumar Panigrahi, we celebrate a visionary lyricist, playwright, and actor whose contributions to Odia art, theatre, and cinema remain unparalleled. Born into the esteemed Panigrahi family of Ganjam, his journey was one of relentless creativity, rich cultural immersion, and artistic boldness.
In the 1950s, Panigrahi became deeply involved in Kolkata’s theatre movement, guided by the celebrated actor Pahari Sanyal. This mentorship ignited his passion for acting, playwriting, and direction, setting the stage for a lifetime of artistic exploration.
His cinematic legacy began with Parinama (1961), where he played the lead role, also crafting its story and lyrics for two of its songs. The following year, he co-directed Odisha’s first partially colored film, Dasyu Ratnakar (1962), alongside Prabhat Mukherjee, also co-writing its dialogues with Gorachand Mishra.
His poetic brilliance shone through verses imbued with depth and symbolism, such as:
“Se je ranga bhara udasi ali, mu je shunya raka rajani kali”
(He is the colorful melancholic bee, I am the dark, empty night lotus).
His compositions for Manikajodi (1963) and Sadhana (1964) further solidified his place in Odia cinema. Noted film historian Surya Deo describes his lyrical style as “distinguished by mysterious symbolism and evocative appeal.”
Panigrahi’s years at Ravenshaw College shaped him as a man of letters, where he formed close friendships with cultural stalwarts like Manoj Das, Dr. Anant Mohapatra, Akshaya Mohanty, and many more. His tenure in Kolkata immersed him in theatre alongside luminaries like Pahari Sanyal. Honored at Bishuba Milana literary conclaves and revered in both Odisha’s and Kolkata’s theatre circles, he was closely involved with the Annapurna theatre movement in Cuttack, collaborating with legendary figures like Babi, Dukhiram, and Teema. His writing for Balakrushna Dash, as well as his musical synergy with Akshaya Mohanty and Parthasarathy Mohapatra, resulted in timeless compositions.
His unconventional expressions and writings have found a new resurgence in the non-film album Parinaam, composed by renowned offbeat musician Sudeep Jena—popularly known as Lalu Bhai. Jena recently completed a composition set against the backdrop of labor strife and civil unrest of the 1960s, using Panigrahi’s lyrics in poignant and intense mood.
Bringing fresh energy to Odia music, Jena has embraced Panigrahi’s free-verse lyricism with a universal and balladic touch. “Panigrahi Sir’s writings not only set a trend of setting non-rhyming lyrics to music but also charted their own creative paths, making them singable and impactful,” says Jena.
Pramod Panigrahi’s legacy remains alive in the artistry of those who carry forward his work. His vision was ahead of its time, and his symbolic compositions continue to captivate audiences, evoking deep emotion and admiration even today.
On this solemn day, we honor his memory—his words still resonate, his music still moves, and his spirit continues to inspire.
