Renowned Odia Folksinger Jitendra Haripal Hospitalized in Sambalpur

Bhubaneswar: Jitendra Haripal, the acclaimed Odia folksinger best known for his iconic rendition of the popular song ‘Rangabati’, has been hospitalized in Odisha’s Sambalpur after complaining of acute pain in his body.

Haripal was admitted to a private hospital late on Monday night, where he is currently under the care of a team of doctors. While the nature of his ailment is yet to be determined, medical experts have indicated that he may require surgery.

The 78-year-old folksinger shot to fame with his soulful voice in the timeless ‘Rangabati’ song, sung in the Sambalpuri language, alongside his female co-singer Krishna Patel. The song, which became a cultural phenomenon, catapulted Haripal into the hearts of music lovers across Odisha and beyond.

Over the years, Jitendra Haripal has lent his voice to more than a thousand songs, establishing himself as one of the leading exponents of Sambalpuri music. His contributions to Indian music were recognized with the prestigious Padma Shri award in 2017, one of the highest civilian honors in the country.