Bhubaneswar: Popular Odia singer Shantilata Barik breathed her last at a private hospital in Odisha capital here today.

Barik’s husband Basant Chhotray confirmed the news.

Barik (64) was suffering from cancer and undergoing treatment for last several days, sources said.

Earlier, there were reports that Barik had been put on ventilator support.

Barik was a household name in Odisha. She had lent voice to several popular Odia devotional (Bhajan) songs.

Some of her popular Odia devotional songs are: Thaka Mana Chala Jiba, Bhaji Bhaji to Nama, He Chakanayan and Balirenu Mahabandha.

Born on October 1, 1960 in Odisha’s Khurda district, Barik had received Acharya degree in music from Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya in the capital city here.

She had also honed her skills under the guidance of eminent Odia gurus Balakrushna Das, Markandeya Mahapatra, Singhari Shyamasundar Kar and Gopal Panda.

Barik was associated with All India Radio for several years.

She had been felicitated by Odisha Sangeet Natak Academy for her contribution to Odia music, language and culture.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and many other dignitaries have expressed their grief over the demise of the eminent Odia singer.