Odisha: 'Biplabi Kabi' Rabi passes away at 89

BHUBANESWAR: Noted poet Rabi Singh passed away at his residence in Cuttack on Sunday, following a prolonged illness, his family members said. He was 89.
Chief minister Naveen Patnaik has declared a state funeral for him.
Popularly known as ‘Biplabi Kabi’ (revolutionary poet) for his patriotic writings, Singh had raised his voice against the degenerating values in society through his creations .
Paying rich tributes to Singh, Naveen described him as a very talented poet, a prolific writer and a true patriot. “His death has created a great void in modern Odia literature. His poems were remarkable in carrying the values of socialism, human rights and equality of classes,” he added.
Condolences poured in from all sections of society on the demise of Singh, who was also a freedom fighter and teacher.
Biswabhushan Harichandan, governor of Andhra Pradesh, said, “His death has caused an irreparable loss to the Odia literary world. He had enriched Odia literature through his poems, essays, novels, stories and autobiography. He was very close to me. We had gone to jail together during emergency. His radical thoughts and revolutionary writings will remain etched in the hearts of Odias forever.”
Union petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan also expressed his condolences on Singh’s death and called it an irreversible loss for Odia literature. “I am deeply saddened by the death of revolutionary poet Rabi Singh. My heartfelt condolences to the grieving family,” he added.
Recipient of a number of honours, Singh was conferred with Odisha Sahitya Akademi award in 1961.
The renowned poet was also honoured with the ‘Atibadi Jagannath Das Samman 2017’ for his contribution to Odia literature.
Singh has written several books in Odia, English as well as Bengali. He has a huge collection of poems including ‘Patha Prantara Kabita’, ‘Charama Patra’, ‘Lal Pagoda Ra Preta O Anya Kabita’, ‘Apritikara Kabita’, ‘Bishabani’, ‘Sarbahara’, ‘Bhanga Harara Kabita’, ‘Bisabani’ and Khyata.