Does Versatile vocalist-composer Raghunath Panigrahi need an introduction? No, though he is more known as the better half of late legendary Odissi danseuse Sanjukta Panigrahi and her accompanying artiste. The just launched coveted Jayadev Award conferred on him last week in New Delhi reminded the nation about his pioneering contribution to the field of music - especially popularisation of saint-poet Jayadev’s immortal Geet Govind and the cult of Jagannath across the globe. Shyamhari Chakra spoke to the maestro following the award ceremony at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi on November 4. Excerpts: What does the Jayadev Award mean to someone who is the recipient of rare honours like the Grand Prix award from the French Government, highest honours of the Central and State Sangeet Natak Akademis and the Tirupati National Award? This is the best honour that I could ever aspire for. An award in the name of Jayadev - whom I revere as an incarnation of Lord Jagannath - received from none other than the Gajapati of Puri can never be compared with any other honour. I felt as if Lord Jagannath blessed me Himself for singing the Geet Govind all through my life. This award also means a lot for the Oriyas. It is named after the poet who belonged to Orissa and an Oriya was its first recipient.
Do you think you have been duly honoured in your home state? We are told that you are revered more in the South than in Orissa.
True, South Indians fondly call me Geet Govind Panigrahi ever since I sang Geet Govind at the Madras Music Academy during its silver jubilee celebrations. My music career flourished in Madras. I used to sing for Tamil, Telugu and Kannada films and have received State film awards from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
People of Orissa love and revere me but I expected the government to do something for promotion of Geet Govind singing that I have been passionately pursuing for the past 50 years. Do you know that the state government has never invited me to perform Geet Govind at Jayadev’s birth-place at Kenduli village where several functions are being hosted! Orissa is known for ignoring its own talents in all fields. So better not to talk of it.
Don’t you ever regret neglecting your career as a singer by being an accompanying singer to your dancer-wife? Never. I am rather content that I supplemented Sanju (Sanjukta Panigrahi). I believe we were born to perform together to promote Odissi dance and music across the globe. Its her dance that promoted Geet Govind and the cult of Lord Jagannath world-wide. I feel blessed that I contributed to this sacred mission as a singer.
Who do you consider as the heir of your legacy? I knew there are a number of gifted singers in Orissa who could have followed my style of singing. But I regret that none of them had the patience to undertake that sadhana. However, I am happy that my elder son, who is a talented ghazal singer, has finally decided to start singing Geet Govind and he had his debut here at the Jayadev Utsav today. I wish him to carry on my legacy.
At 21, you sang with Lata Mangeshkar for the Hindi movie Naya Admi. You also sang for Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Oriya films winning laurels. Why did you stop singing for films that fetched you fame and fortune? It’s for my commitment to popularise the Geet Govind. And I have no regrets. I started my career at the age of six by singing Geet Govind in front of Lord Jagannath and my ultimate wish is to die singing the same for the Lord