Renowned Odia singer Murali Mohapatra collapsed and died while performing at a Durga Puja event in Odisha’s Koraput district yesterday.
He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital but doctors declared him dead due to cardiac arrest. He was 59 years old.
As per reports, Mohapatra was performing at a show in Jeypore town of Koraput district in Odisha. After singing a couple of songs, he sat on a chair on the stage and was listening to other singers, during which he collapsed.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik condoled the death of Mohapatra.
“Saddened to know about the demise of popular singer Murali Mohapatra. His sweet voice will always ignite the hearts of listeners. May his soul rest in peace. My condolence to his family,” Patnaik said in a Twitter post in Odia.
Murali was known as ‘Khoka Bhai’ (in a tribute to renowned Odia singer, late Akshaya Mohanty) of Koraput district as he used to follow the singing style of legendary Odia singer, songwriter and composer Akshaya Mohanty. People used to also describe him as “Akshaya Mohanty of Jeypore”.