A Life Rooted in Simplicity, Raised to Greatness
Sambalpur awoke to a deep void today as Binod Kumar Pasayat, the celebrated Sambalpuri playwright, poet, and lyricist, breathed his last at the age of 89. A Padma Shri awardee, Pasayat passed away at his residence near Sen Park in Sambalpur on Wednesday morning, after battling age-related ailments. His departure marks the end of an era for western Odisha’s folk traditions, leaving behind an irreplaceable cultural legacy.
From Barber’s Chair to Literary Heights
Born on December 3, 1935, in Kusmel village of Balangir district, Pasayat’s journey was extraordinary in every sense. By profession, he was a barber; yet his heart and soul belonged to literature. His humble shop in Sambalpur was more than just a place of work—it became a small theatre of creativity, where verses were composed, songs were born, and dramas took shape.
Pasayat’s artistic spark ignited early. At just ten years old, he performed as a child artist with the Ramji Drama Party in Balangir, laying the foundation for a life immersed in performance and storytelling. In 1953, he moved to Sambalpur, where he continued his craft while staying firmly rooted in his community.
A Voice of the People
What made Pasayat’s works remarkable was their simplicity and profound connection to ordinary lives. His iconic play “Mui Nai Mare” (I Will Never Die) stands as a symbol of resilience and timelessness, while his folk songs like “Ae Nani Sulochana” and “Bajuche Madala Ae Baula” continue to stir the hearts of generations.
Beyond the stage and the village square, his lyrical genius found expression in Odia cinema, contributing to films such as Samarpan and Adivasi. His art was not distant or elitist—it belonged to the people, resonating with the rhythm of rural Odisha.
Recognitions and Honours
Despite his modest background, Pasayat’s brilliance could not go unnoticed. His body of work was celebrated with numerous awards:
· Padma Shri (2024) – conferred by President Droupadi Murmu, the crowning recognition of his life’s dedication.
· Sarala Puraskar (2008) and Odisha Sahitya Akademi Puraskar (2010) – affirming his literary excellence.
· Sarada Prasanna Samman (2019) by Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi – acknowledging his cultural impact.
Each honor reflected not just the mastery of his pen, but his unshakeable commitment to preserving Sambalpuri/Koshli culture.
Condolences and Legacy
Leaders, artists, and admirers across the state have poured in their tributes. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed deep grief, calling Pasayat’s demise an “irreparable loss to Odisha’s literature and culture.” He prayed to Lord Jagannath for eternal peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family.
For the people of Odisha, Pasayat was more than a writer—he was a custodian of tradition, a voice of the common man, and a symbol of humility who never distanced himself from his roots.
A Timeless Inspiration
As the curtain falls on the life of Binod Kumar Pasayat, his legacy continues to sing in the fields, resonate in the folk theatres, and live in the verses passed from one generation to the next. His story is proof that greatness often blossoms in the simplest of places, and that true art needs no grandeur—only sincerity and a heart for the people.
Odisha has lost one of its most authentic cultural torchbearers, but in the echoes of Sambalpuri songs and plays, Pasayat will indeed “never die.”
Honoured Forever in Jewels of Odisha
At Jewels of Odisha, we had the privilege of featuring Binod Kumar Pasayat in our annual coffee table magazine as one of the great sons of Odisha’s soil. His inspiring journey and unparalleled contribution to Sambalpuri literature made him a true cultural torchbearer. The Jewels of Odisha family will always cherish his legacy and remember him with deep respect and admiration.
(With agency inputs)
