Artists Pay Tribute: Ekadasha (eleventh-day of death) and Shradhanjali meeting in memory of renowned sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar Pradhan was held in Cuttack on Monday. Eminent artists from across the state attended the gathering and paid rich tributes to the departed musician.
Pandit Ravi Shankar Pradhan passed away on January 29 at the age of 61. His demise has left a deep void in the cultural and classical music landscape of Odisha.
A distinguished sitar player of both state and national repute, Pandit Pradhan was an A-grade sitar artiste of All India Radio (Akashvani) and a prominent figure associated with Konark Natya Mandap. He contributed significantly to Odissi dance music and worked extensively as a sitar accompanist in dance productions choreographed by Guru Gangadhar Pradhan.
Over the years, he performed alongside legendary artistes including Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, Hema Malini, Madhavi Mudgal, Sanjukta Panigrahi, Sonal Mansingh, Pandit Birju Maharaj and more.
Pandit Pradhan showcased his sitar recitals across major Indian cities such as Mumbai, Allahabad, Varanasi, Jamshedpur, and Kolkata, and also took Indian classical music to international platforms in the United States, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and several European countries.
In recognition of his immense contribution to classical music, he was conferred the Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2017. He also received several other honours, including the Veenakar Samman, Tarang Sangeet Samman, Swarasagar Samman, and Prayag Sangeet Smriti Samman.
Artists and cultural personalities remembered Pandit Ravi Shankar Pradhan as a priceless gem of Odisha’s music fraternity, whose legacy will continue to inspire generations.
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