Cuttack: Veteran Odia singer and music director Rakhal Chandra Mohanty passed away today following prolonged illness, family sources said. He was 88.

The noted musician breathed his last at his residence in Badambadi here this afternoon.

Mohanty, who had learnt music from legendary singers like Balakrushna Das and Pandit Bhubaneswar Mishra, started his career as a music teacher.

He had joined the All India Radio in 1974 as a music composer and created many popular and acclaimed musical programmes during his 20 years stint with the AIR.

He has given music for several Odia films such as 'Amar Prema', 'Manika Jodi', 'Trinatha Mela', among others and many Odissi dance programmes.

Odia film and music industry has expressed deep condolences on the demise of the veteran musician.