Pranab Patnaik has uniqueness in his voice, which lies in the fluidity of his songs, which are not only delightful but an unrestrained creation which brings up a profusion of melodious sensitivity and tones with the jugglery of meaningful rhythm. The variation in his vocal rendering are quite wide and his unique style is incomparable. His Gayaki is mounted on such a platform, which makes the listener realize the finest elements of the supreme creation. He has lent voice to various segments of music like Odishi, Folk, Devotional & Bhajans, Semi Classical, Traditional, Hindi Geet and Ghazal etc. He has rendered his voice in more than 200 Odia films under the banner of almost all the music directors of Odisha and outside. Besides Odia films, he has sung in Hindi, Tamil and Bhojpuri movies. He is the only Odia playback singer who has been bestowed with “Best Playback Singer Award” by Government of Odisha for seven times.

Life and Career

Born on 20th January, 1938, Pranab Patnaik was highly inspired by his father Late Lal Mohan Patnaik (Ex-speaker of Odisha Legislative Assembly). Under Guru Kunal Adinarayan’s training he stepped formally into music industry. In 1958 he started his music career as a playback singer for the first time in film “Maa (1958)”. He has seen all the up and down and changes in trends of Odia Music Industry along with his collegues Akshaya Mohanty, Sikandar Alam and later with Prafulla Kar. Whether it is “Majhire..Jaa re Majhi Ja To Nauka” [Chihna Achihna (1979)] or “Seemahina Daria” [Batighara (1976)] or “Jibana Eka Naataka” [Hira Moti Manika (1981)] one can judge the depth and variation in his singing style. Or when one hear “Urmi Adhira Rupasi Chilika” [ Chilika Tire (1978)] one can find the range of his voice. He had the opportunity to sing with renowned singers like Hemalata, Vani Jayram, S. Janki , P. Sushila, Nirmal Mishraa Mishra, Bhupinder Singh, Usha Mangeshkar and Haimayanti Shukla to name a few. He is the only Odia playback singer who has been entitled with “Best Playback Singer Award” by Govt. of Odisha for seven times.

Into Non-film segment his first Ghazal Album entitled “SHAB-E-GHAZAL” released in 1992 with Smt. Devki Pandit and the music of which has been compered and directed by the flute maestro Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia. He has rendered his voice in more than 200 odia films under the baton of almost all the music directors of Odisha and outside. He has performed abroad several times in many countries including USA and Canada. He is a regular artist for C.P.C, Delhi Doordarshan, AIR Delhi, and the external channels for last 15 years.

His voice lent to Odia modern songs like, Naati Heba Badhu Aba Chandrakala, Ei Jibanata Eka Naataka, Tuma Otha Naali, Koili Lo Keshaba, Monalisha, Tuma Gaan Mahumachhi, Puni Sei Shrabana Raati, Mo Priyatama Se Ta Ediki Manoi etc. are still played today in All India Radio on high demand.

Personal Life

Currently he is residing at Bhubaneshwar and has engaged himself more as a TV artist after he retired almost from Odia Film Industry though he is always looking forward to sing more and more good songs like in the past.

Unforgetable Melodies

Dhara Dhara Hoi Aakhiru Jharuchi [Krushna Sudama (1976)]
He Dukha Hari Giridhari Murari [Heera Moti Manika (1981)]
Keun Nama Dhari Dakibu Tumaku [Sindura Bindu (1976)]
Maa Tume Jagatara Saha Bharasa [Arati (1981)]
Pranati Janae Tora Charane [Jhiati Sita Pari (1983)]
Re Aatman Nidra Parihari [Mamata (1975)]
Ajhata Na Hoi Kole Mo Pheri Aa [Pratidhwani (1984)]
Aa Re Mita Aa Sangata Bela Galani [Mamata (1975)]
Aakhi Buji Dele Kian Epari Laage [Bata Abata (1980)]
Aasa Priyatama Rushi Rushi Priti Chhaila [Shankha Mahuri (1978)]
Aha Ki Badhia Jodi Tora Mora [Alibha Daga (1980)]
Antara Kande Bahare Hase Sei Mora Parichaya [Suryamukhi (1963)]
Bandhure Ho.. E Jibane Sabu Ghatai [Punarmilan (1977)]
Bedana Saagara Tire Udaasi Mun Bainshi Sura [Maa (1958)]
Bhije Aakhi Aaji Hele Otha Hase [Kanya Dana (1988)]
Chanhena Chanhena Michha E Bandhana [Shri Loknath (1960)]
Chhai Chhabili Ranga Rangeli [Chinha Achinha (1979)]
E Gramara Chasa Bhai Maatira Samman [Samarpan (1978)]
E Ki Bichara Aahe Narayana [Sakshi Gopinath (1978)]
E Nila Aakhi Nila Jale Bhasana [Bandhan (1969)]
E Nuhein Kahani Rupa Katha Raja Ba Rani [Ae Nuhen Kahani (1977)]
E Ranga Rahiba Nahin [Mala Janha (1965)]
Chhota Katha Tie Bhulana [Arundhati (1967)]
Eka Radha Shyama Saathe Hasi Doli Khele [Alibha Daga (1980)]
Emiti Raati Se Je Abhula (Male) [Sautuni (1979)]
Ghidi Ghidi Chaka Chale [Heera Moti Manika (1981)]
Hae Se Harini Aakhi Anila Mote [Jajabara (1975)]
Haire Kanhu Bhai Benu Tuhi Sina Mathuraku Jaaure [Megha Mukti (1980)]
Ho Bandhure Asha Tora Maru Marichika [Akshi Trutiya (1981)]
Hrudaya Bhari Mora Baaje Khali Tuma Sura [Krushna Sudama (1976)]
Indra Dhanura Sapta Ranga Sabu Ta Jaichhi [Samarpan (1978)]
Jaa Re Majhi Jaa Tu Nauka Bahi Jaa [Chinha Achinha (1979)]
Jaha Mun Khojichhi Taha Mun Paichhi [Punarmilan (1977)]
Janha Uain Eka Nadi Bahe Eka [Udaya Bhanu (1981)]
Jaubanaru Aparadha Tahinru Jaata [Sindura Bindu (1976)]
Jeebana Jamuna Nai Rai Helu Bai [Pipasa (1978)]
Jeebanara Mane Khoji Mun Paichhi Aji [Tike Hasa Tike Luha (1981)]
Jhumu Jhumu Nupura Baje [Heera Moti Manika (1981)]
Jibana Eka Nataka Ame Tara Kalakara [Heera Moti Manika (1981)]
Kahniki Basichhu Mana Kisa Neba Paain Ta [Mana Abhimana (1980)]
Maa Kalijaai Lo Aakasha Re Kainya Phale [Bandhan (1969)]
Maajhi Re Shesha Shrabana Puraba Pabana [Shesha Shrabana (1976)]
Maajhi.. Uansa Raati Pahila Maajhi [Chilika Tire (1978)]
Madhu Jhara Phula Bane Koili Kahi Gala Kane [Pipasa (1978)]
Mana Rasia Re E Mora Mana Chhuin Ja Re [Rakta Golapa (1977)]
Manare Bhulija E Bandhana [Ram Balaram (1980)]
Mun Je Amruta Sagara Bindu Chhota Mora Ei [Ashanta Graha (1982)]
Nakara Nakara Man Tile Bhabana [Sansara (1973)]
Pahadara Sepakhe Ama Chhota Gaan [Kanya Dana (1988)]
Purila Aasha Mora Bharila Mana Mora Rupa [Paribar (1978)]
Purnima Janha Sate Dhara Buke Hasila [Bandhan (1969)]
Raati Paahi Thile Hoi Thante Raja Rama [Kula Chandrama (1978)]
Rupasi Rani Go Mora Nila Jahna Nilimara [Sautuni (1979)]
Saathire Saathire Jeebana Saagare E Mana Khojai Kahare [Astaraga (1982)]
Sathire Ama Geetire Mamata Au Pritire [Shankha Mahuri (1978)]
Seemahina Dariaa SaathiHina Dunia [Batighara (1976)]
To Saathe Jibini Mun Jatara Dekhi [Bata Abata (1980)]
Tuki Paradeshi Nija Deshe [Shri Loknath (1960)]
Tuma Bina Ei Raati Bhala Lagena [Stree (1968)]
Tume Janana Janana Mun Janena [Kaa (1966)]
Tuni Tuni Kathaa Lage Bhari Mitha [Jhiati Sita Pari (1983)]
Udi Udi Are Jaare Tu Udi [Bata Abata (1980)]
Urmi Adhiraa Rupasi Chilika Ullase Aji [Chilika Tire (1978)]
Gotie Raja Ku Hajare Chhati Gotie Janhara Hajare Raat
Ja Hrude Karanti Basa Sada
Manima Sunima Heu Gariba Daka
Aago Bana Hansi Seemita Ei Dena Nei
Aago Sandhya Taara Sandhya Hara
Doora Neela Nabha Shashire
Duniaare Saba Dine Mane Rakhibaku
E Mo Phula Changudi Marna Au Ghungudi
Ei Jibanata Eka Naataka
Ei Saata Ranga Meenakar Aakasha
Ha Ha Monalisha Aha Monalisha
Kuhudi Peei Mun Matal Sajichhi
Mahumachhi Mahu Chanhe Phula Chanhena
Mo Priyatama Seta Ediki Manoi
Mora Manasi Ei Rupasi Jaa Lagi
Mote Jebe Ati Eka Eka Lage
Mun Je Nisanga Aakasha
Mun Keun Sahare Rahichi Naa Thikana
Naa Ti Heba Badhu Aba Chandrakala
Nidhiaku Theli Peli Bedi Ku Mun Patheili
Nijhum Raati Soi Soi Ka
Puni Sei Shrabanare Anek Meghara
Raatire Ama Ghara Loka Sabu
Smruti Tora Phere Sanja Gadi Gala Pare
Tuma Gaan Mahu Machhi Ama Phule Mahu
Tuma Otha Naali Tuma Mana Nali
Tume Aago Pahanti Ushara Bidhaba Janha
Aame Ta Odia, Hasare Nachare And Be Happy