Bhubaneswar, Dec 1: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Union ministers Jual Oram and Dharmendra Pradhan have congratulated Rituraj Mohanty, a native of Nimapara panchayat in Puri district, for emerging victorious in Star Plus channel’s reality show India’s Raw Star Sunday.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Union minister Jual Oram congratulated the singer for winning the top slot in India’s Raw Star and said his victory is a victory for the people of Orissa.
Union minister of state for petroleum and natural gas Dharmendra Pradhan said Rituraj Mohanty’s victory has again proved that poverty cannot be an obstacle where there is determination and will.
He said the singer had to pass through several rounds of stiff competition and voting to occupy the top slot in the prestigious contest.
Rituraj, aged 26, won millions of hearts across the country with his soulful voice. His performances like ‘Kabira’ and ‘O Re Piya’ were praised by many singers and music directors. Rituraj started learning music from the tender age of three from his father, who is a tabla player. He was attracted to Sufi music as a kid and used to practice singing songs of that genre. After finishing his studies, he decided to join Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya in the city but had to drop out due to financial difficulties.
