Balakrushna Dash

Balakrushna Das was a prominent vocalist and musicologist in the state of Odisha. He was born on 21 May 1923 in the Basantapedi village in Odisha. His love for music came from his father, Dinbandhu Das, and his mother, Kamala Devi She was the first Indian actress to play the femal >> Read More... . On the advice of his music teacher, Das was sent to the Gotipua Guru to learn more about vocal music. After that, he joined a Sanskrit school. Gokul Chandra Srichand inspired him to learn Hindustani music simultaneously.

It was in 1944 when Das started his career in music at All India Radio, Calcutta. He produced Odissi songs, Bhajans, and Chandas. In 1948, he became a music producer at Cuttack Radio Station. His well-acclaimed songs include "Patha anai jhuri jhurire,"; "Basi kanduthiba manini pranasajani," and "Laja re sarigali aja sajani." During his lifetime, he became associated with many organisations, namely Akshvani, National Music Association(1950-55), Cuttack Kala Bikash Kendra(1950-60) and Utkal Sangeet Samaj. In 1970, he aligned himself with Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya as the Head of the Odissi Music Department(1970-84). In Odissi Research Centre, he taught Odissi classical music. 

In 1954, Das became the music director of a film called Kedar Gouri, setting imprints in the film industry as well. He also did numerous music and theatre programs in Cuttack AIR. In 1975, Das received the Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Odissi Vocal. Over the period, he earned various titles, including Sangeet Sudhakar, Sangeet Shiromani, Swara Singhari, and Sangeet Ratna. He breathed his last on 11 November 1993.