Mardal maestro Banamali Maharana passes away

Eminent percussionist Banamali Maharana passed away at a private hospital on Saturday in Bhubaneswar. He was 77. He was undergoing treatment at the hospital due to age-related ailments, said family sources. 

Born in Raghurajpur village of Puri district on May 16, 1941, Maharana earned accolades for playing 'mardala' in Odissi music and dance across the globe.

He partnered with legendary Odissi guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and his disciples, including Sanjukta Panigrahi, Priyambada Hejmadi, Sonal Mansingh and Madhavi Mudgal around the world.

Maharana was honoured with the prestigious Orissa Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1994, Kendriya Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2004 and the Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja Sanman in 2016.

He also founded the Mardala Academy in Bhubaneswar, which has been organising 'Tala Vadya Utsav'. Culture Minister Ashok Panda has condoled the death of Maharana.