Odisha’s first woman lyricist Binodini Devi passed away

BHUBANESWAR:17/10/23:  Odisha’s first woman lyricist Binodini Devi passed away on October 16, Monday following a prolonged illness. She was 86.

Devi had suffered a brain stroke and was bedridden for several months. She was under treatment at Angul. A lyricist of Akashwani-Cuttack, Devi wrote some popular songs like ‘Nirimakhi Kuanri’ from Tapoi, ‘Se Ta Bhakta Bhabare Bandha’ from Shree Jagannath and ‘Rakata Talamala’ from the movie Mala Janha. In fact, she began her career in Odia cinema as a lyricist for Mala Janha movie. Apart from writing lyrics of Odia songs, she was also a writer.

The veteran musical maestro of the Odia film industry, late Akshay Mohanty, had offered her an opportunity to write songs for ‘Mala Janha’ movie. In the later period, she wrote lyrics for other films.

Born in 1937 in Tigiria area in Cuttack district, Binodini Devi was also a prolific litterateur. Her works like ‘Khokatiye Khokitiye’ (compilation of children’s songs), ‘Amruta’ (devotional song compilation), ‘Tiki Tiki Naali Kainch’ (children’s song compilation), ‘Ei Kala Mora Kalank’ (modern song collection) were some of the most talked about.

Condoling her death, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said she will always be remembered for the imprint she left in the world of Odia cinema and music. “I am saddened to know about the passing away of Odisha’s famous lyricist Binodini Devi. May her soul rest in peace. I express my condolences to the bereaved family,” he tweeted.