By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: Anindita Das has been a front ranking and first rating classical and semi classical Singer. An Internationally acclaimed vocalist, she is Popularly known as the Nightingale of Odisha. Anindita is a house hold name in the nook and corner of the State for her scintillating and soul soothing singing. Started learning music at an early age, Anindita became a fame vocalist during her youth because of her sheer talent and sincere toil.
At the age of nine, she had the opportunity to sing for the iconic film Mathura Bijay with the music direction of late lamented Sangita Sudhakar Balakrushna Das. Her musical voyage began with a bang from there with the success of the film. She has not looked back since then. Now Anindita has been dazzling like a twinkle star in the musical horizon of Odisha for about forty years.
Her success story doesn’t limit within the boundaries of Odisha.She has the rare advantage of earning widespread adulation for her power packed performances in mega cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Chennai inside India as well as in many countries in abroad.Holder of a kaleidoscopic personality, Anindita Das has been a Woman of many parts like a humble human being, caretaking housewife,obedient wife,responsible guardian, lovable mother, towering social leader, conscious citizen, ever helpful person, religious lady,sweet cum soft spoken personality and last but not least an intelligent and intellectual artist, who has always been striving for experimentation, innovation and excellence.
Anindita is the daughter of late Jogendra Kumar Das and Sabita Das of Cuttack.Since her parents were inclined towards quality music, Anindita commenced professional training in music at her childhood taking advantage of the congenial atmosphere at home. She has learnt the finer nuances of classical and light music from galaxy of Celebrated Gurus like Khitish Chandra Moitra, Dipak Basu, Mohan Charan Senapati and J.V.S Rao. Kicking off her professional career by participating in AIR’s classical music education programme, Anindita earned name, fame and fortune through her regular musical shows in Doordarshan and other private channels.
An outstanding playback singer Anindita has had the opportunity of rendering her magical voice in epoch making movies like Badhu Nirupama, Kalia Bharasha and Ganga Jamuna Saraswati with the music direction of legendary musicologist Akshay Mohanty. She had also sung in the hindi children film ‘Bargad Dada’. The encouragement and inspiration provided by parents initially and the moral support and co –operation extended by husband retired IAS officer Guru Prasad Mishra after marriage were quite instrumental for the stupendous professional accomplishment of Anindita Das.
Speaking to Media, Anindita Das has expressed her deep concern and much anguish over the onslaught of massive adverse impact of hindi and English languages on the promotion and propagation of Odia language and Odisha’s music. She has taken up the bold initiative to sensitise the childrens and youths of Odisha about the golden legacies and tangible contributions of the freedom fighters and top National leaders of Odisha towards Nation building and to inculcate sense of pride and self esteem within them for their rich heritage and lofty traditions.
The sole purpose of the movement is to arouse awareness among present generations about the life and philosophy of these great Sons and daughters of Odisha’s soil and inspire them to emulate their ethos and ideals. Carrying on this noble mission, Smt Das has already composed music on the immortal writings of colossus personalities like Madhu Sudan Das, Kuntala Kumari Sabat, Fakir Mohan Senapati, Gopabandhu Das, Bira Kishore Das, Laxmikanta Mohapatra, Bhima Bhoi, Gangadhar Meher, Banchhanidhi Das, Radhanath Ray, Madhu Sudan Rao, Godabarisha Mishra and Godabarish Mohapatra.
Being a person of high stature and heavy dignity, Anindita Das has been holding several responsible posts and positions. She is the General Secretary cum Cutural Brand Ambassador of World Odisha Society. Gulf Odia Association has also appointed her as their Ambassador. Other positions she has been occupying include Director of Health and Development initiative, Cultural convenor of Utkal University’s Alumina Association and member of Silver Age Foundation for Elders, Speak for Animal and R.C.F Rotary Club of Bhubaneswar.
Anindita Das has had the privilege of being felicitated, honoured and awarded inside India and Abroad for her sterling role in promoting, propagating and popularising Odisha’s Art, Culture and heritage across the Globe.
These include prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in the year 2022, Swara Swotaswini Honour, Swarashri Honour, Sura Tarnagini Award, Chinta ‘O’ Chetna Honour, Bright Odisha Honour, Mahak Mo Matira Honour, Surya Kehetra Foundation Honour, Natraj Music Award, Ekamrashri Honour, Upendranath Smruti Samman, Nabakrishna Smruti Samman, Brajanath Badjena Honour, Adjudged as Best Singer in Utkal University, All round Best Performer Award by Buckle Girls High School, Odia Society of America (OSA)Award, Odia Society of Australia (ORIOZ)Award, Odia Samaj of UAE Award, Odia Society of Bahrain Award, Odia Society of Qatar Award, Odisha Samaj of UK (OSUK) Award, Odia Society of Ireland Award and Governor of Nagaland’s Special Honour.
