Rangabati row: Odisha outfit burns effigy of singer Pragya Patra

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Jharsuguda, Aug 20:

A fresh controversy has broken out in Odisha over the re-rendition of Sambalpuri cult song ‘Rangabati’ by Odia singer Pragya Patra.

Members of Koshal Kranti Sena today burnt the effigy of the singer at Gandhi Chhak near Jharsuguda Bus Stand. The activists alleged that the song has been presented in a distorted way.

Notably, this is not for the first time that the new version of the song has faced opposition in the state. Even the composer of the original song reportedly voiced his dissent over the re-rendition of the song terming it as being sung in a distorted way.

It may be mentioned here that the remix of the Sambalpuri folk song has been released online on August 14 by Punyaa Productions featuring the Voice of India fame singer.

Around this time last year, a major controversy had erupted over the Rangabati song sung by Sona Mohapatra and Rituraj Mohanty. The lyricist and composer of the cult song had filed a defamation suit for Rs 1 crore in July last year for reproduction of the song without permission and in violation of copyright.

It may be mentioned that ‘Rangabati’ recorded in the mid 70’s by the singers –Jitendra Haripal and Krishna Patel– continues to be a rage even now. The song was written by Mitrabhanu Gauntia and composed by Prabhudatta Pradhan. No marriage procession in Odisha is complete without the rendition of this song tailor-made for frenzied dancing.