Pradhan mourns Odia Pala legend Jagannath Behera
Synopsis
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan mourned the passing of Jagannath Behera, the centenarian Odia Pala folk singer and President's Award recipient known as Gayak Sekhar, calling his contribution to Odia folk culture incomparable and praying for peace for his soul.
Key Takeaways
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan expressed grief over the death of veteran Odia Pala singer Jagannath Behera on August 3, 2026 .
Behera was a centenarian folk artist popularly titled 'Gayak Sekhar' (Singer Supreme) and a recipient of the President's Award .
Pala is a traditional Odia folk art combining narrative singing, devotional poetry, and theatrical performance.
Pradhan called Behera's contribution to Odia folk art and culture 'incomparable' and described his passing as leaving 'an irreplaceable void' in the arts.
Possible posthumous state honours or memorial programmes for Behera in Odisha may follow.
A centenarian voice that carried Odisha's folk soul through generations has fallen silent. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan expressed deep grief on Monday, August 3, 2026, over the passing of Jagannath Behera — the celebrated Odia Pala singer honoured with the title 'Gayak Sekhar' (Singer Supreme) and a recipient of the President's Award.
Writing in Odia, Pradhan said he was 'saddened and deeply pained' by the news of Behera's death, calling his contribution to the promotion of Odia folk art and culture 'incomparable.' He added that the world of art now carries 'an irreplaceable void,' and prayed for the peace of the departed soul while conveying condolences to the bereaved family. He closed with 'Om Shanti' — the traditional Sanskrit invocation of peace for the deceased.
The art Jagannath Behera kept alive
Pala is one of Odisha's most ancient and revered folk performance traditions — a demanding blend of narrative singing, devotional poetry, percussion and theatrical storytelling, typically performed through the night at village gatherings and religious festivals. Practitioners must command vast repertoires of mythological verse, improvise in verse, and sustain audiences across hours of performance. Behera, known across Odisha as Gayak Sekhar, was among the most distinguished masters of this form, earning national recognition through the President's Award — India's highest civilian honour for folk and traditional artists.Why a Union Minister's tribute matters here
Pradhan, himself from Odisha, has consistently used his national platform to spotlight the state's cultural heritage. Central ministers issuing formal condolences for regional folk icons is a recognised pattern within the BJP's broader emphasis on preserving India's linguistic and folk traditions — but Pradhan's tribute carries the additional weight of personal cultural affinity. When a minister of his seniority pauses to grieve a village folk singer by name, it signals to Odisha's cultural community that their traditions register at the highest levels of government. With Behera gone, attention will now turn to whether the Odisha state government or the Union Ministry of Culture announces posthumous honours or a memorial programme in his name — a step that would cement his legacy for the next generation of Pala artists.Point of View
Making this acknowledgement a deliberate signal to Odisha's vast folk-arts community. As the party continues to cultivate regional cultural identity as a political asset ahead of state cycles, such gestures carry electoral as well as symbolic weight. The real test will be whether the tribute translates into institutional support — a national memorial, a fellowship, or a scheme — for Pala artists who remain economically marginalised.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Jagannath Behera?
Jagannath Behera was a celebrated centenarian Odia Pala folk singer, widely known by the honorary title 'Gayak Sekhar' (Singer Supreme) and a recipient of the President's Award for his contributions to Odia folk art and culture.
What is Pala, the Odia folk art?
Pala is a traditional Odia performance art that combines narrative singing, devotional poetry, percussion music, and theatrical storytelling. It is typically performed at village gatherings and religious festivals, often through the night.
What did Dharmendra Pradhan say about Jagannath Behera's death?
Pradhan said he was 'saddened and deeply pained' by the news, called Behera's contribution to Odia folk art 'incomparable,' described his passing as leaving 'an irreplaceable void' in the arts world, and prayed for peace for the departed soul.
What is the President's Award for folk artists in India?
The President's Award (also known as the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award or related national honours) is one of India's highest recognitions for practitioners of traditional, folk, and classical performing arts, conferred by the President of India.
Is Dharmendra Pradhan from Odisha?
Yes, Dharmendra Pradhan is originally from Odisha. He is a senior BJP leader who has served as Union Minister of Education and previously as Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
