Bhubaneswar: Eminent percussionist Guru Banamali Maharana passed away after prolonged illness, here Saturday. He was 77.
Maharana was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in the city for various age-related ailments for the last few days.
It may be mentioned here that Maharana was instrumental in getting Mardala recognition as a classical music instrument. He has also shared the stage with noted Odissi Guru late Kelucharan Mahapatra.
Maharana began his career as a teacher at Kala Vikash Kendra in Cuttack and later joined the Odisha Sangeet Mahavidyalaya as a lecturer. He was honoured with the prestigious Upendra Bhanja Samman in 2016 for his lifetime contribution to music industry.
Born 16 May, 1941 at Raghurajpur village in Puri district, the instrumentalist has also been felicitated with the Odissi Nrutya Samman 2015-16, Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award in 2008 and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2004.
Members of the Odissi dance and music fraternity have condoled Maharana’s death. His mortal remains were kept in Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyala for people to pay their last respects.