Eminent Lyricist Nizam is no More, Hospital in Trouble for Withholding Body

BHUBANESWAR: Eminent lyricist Nizam passed away following cardiac arrest and kidney failure at a private hospital here early on Monday. He was 62 and been admitted to the Apollo Hospitals here since September 16.

However, controversy surrounded his death as there were allegations over the hospital withholding his body over non-clearance of bills. This was also corroborated by Tourism and Culture Minister Ashok Kumar Panda, who said the matter was resolved on intervention of the Chief Minister.

The hospital authorities, however, refuted the allegations saying that there was no attempt to withold the body and rather they had gone out of the way to assist the bereaved family of the celebrated lyricist.  The total bill on treatment was over Rs 2.52 lakh of which around Rs 1 lakh had been paid.

"As per the procedure, the family had bene asked to give an undertaking for settlement of bills in due course and all procedures for release of the dead body had been completed. The transfer of the body from hospital was held up as the ambulance brought for the purpose was not fit. The hospital then arranged for the transfer by providing its own ambulance", general manager Dr Hirendranath Chickeroor said.

Meanwhile, his death has been condoled by all sections. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik termed his death a great loss to Odia film and music industry. Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan said the void left by Nizam would be difficult to fill.

Nizam had penned some of the immortal  songs including "Hrudaya ra Ei Sunayata ku",  "Nida bhara Rati Madhu Bhara Smruti", "Neijare Megha Mote De Chhadi", "Mun Paradeshi Chadhei Gaaibara Sapna Nei" etc.

Born in Cuttack in 1952, Nizam had written songs for over 100 films in a career spanning over 35 years. He had also written screenplay and dialogues for over 30 movies. Even as he had started writting sons for Yuva Vani programme of Akashvani Cuttack in 1967, his first movie break was 'Anutap' in 1977. His songs in the film "Nupura Kahinki Mu Bandhili", and "Nida bhara Rati Madhu Bhara Smruti" continue to tug hearts even after three decades. Innumerable films have rode to success on the strength of his songs.

Nizam had also written screenplays and songs for TV serials, Jatra plays and album songs.

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