A day of state mourning is being observed in Odisha on Wednesday as a tribute to veteran Hindustani classical vocalist Sunanda Patnaik.
The Odisha government has decided to institute Sunanda Samman for eminent musicians and also set up Guruma Sunanda Patnaik Chair at Utkal University of Culture for higher studies and research in classical music, the Chief Ministers office said in a series of tweets.
The Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi will give away the annual award - Sunanda Samman - to personalities who excel in the field of classical music in the state.
Following the chief ministers announcement, a state- level mourning ceremony was being observed on Wednesday at the Guru Kelu Charan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre (GKCMORC) here, on behalf of the Culture Department in association with the GKCMORC.
The chief minister announced that the belongings of the late singer will be preserved at a gallery in Utkal University of Culture.
Her family members will be requested to donate all articles and instruments used by her to be preserved by the government.
The chief minister said that her family houses at Puri and Cuttack will be developed as 'Smriti Sadans' (memorials) with the permision from her family members.
Sunanda Patnaik, who passed away in Kolkata on January 19, 2020 following a prolonged illness, had received Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi award in 1970 and 1971.
She was conferred with the Indian Lifetime Achievement award in 2009 and Lifetime Achievement award from the Orissa society of the Americas (OSA) in 2012.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
