A “sankirtan” (mass prayer) being held at the village mutt. A month-long prayer was organised for the speedy recovery of bhajan legend Bhikari Bal at his native village Sobala in Kendrapara. Telegraph picture

Kendrapara, Nov. 3: A pall of gloom descended over the Sobala village, the birthplace of Bhikari Bal, the doyen of Oriya bhajans who died late on Tuesday night.

“Villagers woke up to hear the sad news. Everyone was shocked. We feel orphaned,” said Ramesh Rout, a senior citizen of the village.

As a mark of respect, the village school was closed today. “Teachers turned up, but we requested them to keep the school closed for a day,” Rout said.

“After his health deteriorated during the last fortnight, we had prayed for his recovery. A sankirtan (chanting of devotional songs) was held at the village mutt. But God decided otherwise,” he added.

Bal had founded the mutt. When he visited the village, he spent most of his time singing melodious Jagannath bhajans at the mutt. Villagers used to throng in large numbers to hear him,” he said.

The villagers have organised a Bhajan samaroha at the nearby Baro village in the memory of Bal’s, Rout added.

“We feel as if someone from our own family has died. It will take us some time to recover from the shock,” said Chaturbhuj Sahu, another resident.

Though Bal was settled in Cuttack to further his career in music, he used to come to Sobala at least once every year.

“Our gram panchayat would install the Bhajan Samrat’s bust at his ancestral village. In the next sitting of the gram panchayat body, we would adopt a resolution in this regard. If funds fall short, we will make up the shortfall through voluntary contributions. His memory should be preserved for his achievements in the field of music. His humble personality was a source of inspiration for people of this region,” said Gangapada gram panchayat sarpanch Mamatarani Dhal.