Bhubaneswar, Jan. 23: Veteran playback singer Trupti Das vowed to take classical and folk arts to new heights as she was sworn in as the president of the Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi.

Better known as Tani, the singer was trained in Hindustani classical music at Kala Vikas Kendra in Cuttack.

Groomed by Khity Chandra Maitra and Balakrushna Das, she started her career quite early as a child at All India Radio. She became a playback singer in 1969, and her song in the film Adina Megha was hugely appreciated. With back-to-back hits in her kitty, especially the songs, she sung for music director Akshay Mohanty, turned her into a household name.

Das has won many state awards.

Succeeding a legendary actor and filmmaker such as Sarat Pujari will be a huge challenge, said Das. 'He was a father figure to me, and his intellect was incomparable. I hope that I can fulfil my new responsibilities with his blessings,' she said.

The post of president at the institution had been lying vacant following the death of Pujari in May last year.

During her tenure as the president, she said her major goal would be to popularise and promote Odia performing art forms. 'I am yet to attend the office and understand its functioning. There would be challenges that I need time to understand and find a solution to. Taking classical and folk music and dance as well as theatre to the people outside the state will be my priority,' Das said.

Despite being a singer, she would not only focus on issues related to music, but also assess and analyse various departments that need attention and work accordingly, she said.

Apart from Odia films, Das has also sung in other regional films, which includes Kannada film Premanjali, Telgu film Swarnakamalam. She has also sung in Hindi children's film Bargad Dada.

She is also an artiste for Doordarshan's regional and national transmission and owns a recording studio in Cuttack.

The new names for president and vice-president of the institution were announced on Thursday. Odissi music composer and singer Ramhari Das will now be the vice-president of the Akademi replacing Odissi danseuse Aruna Mohanty.