post news network, Bhubaneswar, July 9: A packed Soochana Bhawan sat mesmerized through the evening as Santilata Barik Chhotray sung one bhajan after the other during a programme of devotional songs organised by her trust, in the city, Thursday.
The programme, ‘Hey Chakanayana’, was organised by the Santilata Barik Chhotray Cultural Trust with the intention of spreading awareness among the general public about the Nabakalebara festival and the Rath Yatra, which are knocking on the doors.
Singer Chhotray performed various devotional songs such as ‘Sabu bandhana mo kholi dei prabhu’, ‘Hey chakanayana agatira gati’, ‘Bhaji bhaji to namo chakanayana’, ‘Mana ku karichhi gapapura’, ‘Neelamani mara aa’ that fascinated the audience present.
“I have been so much inspired by several eminent bhajana singers… . The songs that I sing give me immense satisfaction. I am a devotee of the Lord Jagannath and I feel blessed to have got the opportunity to serve him through songs for so many years. I am happy,” said Barik.
She has, till date, sung around 189 devotional songs that have made their way into several albums of Oriya songs. The listeners, it seems, are equally blessed to have got the opportunity to enjoy her kind of music.
“It has really been an honour to watch her singing live at this place. I am a big fan of hers. All her songs penetrate my soul. The members of my family and me always make it a point to listen to her songs in the morning. Those songs are really heart touching. I wish her a long life,” said Sabitri Gadanayak, who came to watch the event.
The musicians who have been accompanying her from the beginning of her career in music were felicitated during the programme.
The chairman of the trust, Braja Kishore Das, thanked all the dignitaries that included the minister of food supplies and consumer welfare, govt of Orissa, Sanjay Kumar Das Burma and the audience for their kind participation in the event. “It was a great event for the lovers of devotional music. Many young people also attended the show. The songs of Santilata have created a special place in the hearts of the people of the state. All her songs will remain alive in the minds and the hearts of the people. I wish her all the best,” said Das.