Legendary singer Nirmala Mishra passes away
প্রয়াত কিংবদন্তী সংগীত শিল্পী নির্মলা মিশ্র

July 31: A bright star in the galaxy of Bengali & Odiya music, Nirmala Mishra has breathed her last at 12.02 AM on Sunday. The legendary singer passed away due to a cardiac arrest. She was 81. As per reports, she was suffering due to old-age related diseases since a quite long time. On Saturday night, she suddenly experienced breathing problems. At once she was rushed to NG Medicare in South Kolkata. Though the doctors started her treatment instantly, but all efforts went in vain, as the legendary singer passed away at 12.02 AM on Sunday.

Nirmala Mishra was born at Majilpur in North 24 Parganas in the year 1938. However, the family later moved on to Kolkata as her father got transferred there. From her childhood, she grew up in a musical environment. Her father Pandit Mohini Mohan Mishra and brother Murari Mohan Mishra were well-acclaimed singers. She was attracted towards music from her tender age.

In 1960, she got the first chance to sing a song in the Odia movie ‘Shri Lokanath.’ Thereafter, she sang in a number of hit movies, including, Stree, Kaa, Malajanha, Abhinetree, Anutap, Kie Kaahaara, Amadaa Baata, Adina Megha etc. The renowned singer Nirmala Mishra, a recipient of the Balakrushna Das Award. “Nida bhara raati madhu jhara janha” is one of the most admired songs in Odia music. The song is from the 1975 movie ‘Anutapa’, composed by J. Adeni.

She gradually entered into the world of Bengali music. She gave birth to a separate and unique style of her in Bengali music. Among her golden Bengali hits are: Emon Ekta Jhinuk Khuje (এমন একটা ঝিনুক খুঁজে),  Chandke Nibhiye Rakho (চাঁদকে নিভিয়ে রাখো), Jay Re A Ki Birohe (যায় রে এ কী বিরহে), ‘সুখ যে আমার’, ‘তোমার আকাশ দু’টি চোখে’, ‘আজ কোনও কাজ নেই’, ‘ও আমার মন পাখি’, ‘আমায় বাঁশের Bashi Dao Bajate (বাঁশি দাও বাজাতে), Aakashe nei tarar Deep (আকাশে নেই তারার দীপ), O Tota Pakhi Re (ও তোতা পাখি রে) etc.

Nirmala Mishra has also sung along with many other legendary singers like Manna Dey, Pratima Bandopadhay, Manabendra Mukhopadhay, Sandhya Mukhopadhay, and Shipra Basu. She has sung many different kinds of music, including folk songs, patriotic songs, Nazrul Geeti, Rabindra Sangeet. Her death has indeed created a void in the world of Bengali and Odia Music.