Bhubaneswar, Dec. 2: Singer Susmita Das, well known for her albums based on poems written by eminent Odia writers, has been made a member of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

The artiste is looking forward to her new role as a member of the censor board.

The CBFC last month informed Das about their decision of appointing her as a member. However, she received a mail of confirmation about the appointment only yesterday.

Das is known for promoting Odia literature by transforming poetry collections into musical albums.

"I am humbled that they have chosen me as a member looking at my work towards Odia art and culture," said the 47-year-old singer. Das, who was trained in classical singing since childhood, took up her passion professionally about seven years ago. Ever since, she caught the attention of connoisseurs and gradually emerged as a popular name in the musical circuit.

Das will be taking up her new assignment at a time when the censor board is in the eye of a storm for removing scenes that they considered to be "objectionable" from many films including the recent Bond film Spectre.

Das, however, appears unaffected by the ongoing controversy surrounding the CBFC.

"There are usually discussions and members are expected to visit Mumbai during meetings. The decision of the censor board is a collective one. So, I don't believe in the ongoing criticism. I am positive about the role of the board," Das said.

An ardent Odia film lover, she isn't too happy with the quality of present day Odia films. "I used to watch every Odia film till 1995. But now, there is little originality in the films that are on offering," she said.

She was trained under the tutelage of Guru Chitta Pani. At present, she is learning Odissi vocals from Dheeraj Mahapatra and Karthik.

Das is known for her albums based on works of poets Mayadhar Mansingh and Devdas Chhottray. She first drew the attention of music lovers with the album Haathi Saja Kara based on Devdas Chhotray's poems. She has 14 albums to her name.

"I also love the works of Bibhuti Patnaik, Haraprasad Das and Pratibha Ray," she said.

Das is busy with shows and concerts and will begin recording for a new album in March. "I will try to balance my time while doing all my duties," said the mother of two grown-up children. While her elder daughter Ankita is a lawyer, the younger one, Vedika, is a Class-XII student. Her husband, Siddhanta Das, is a forest officer who always supported her in her various pursuits.

Her last album - Deha Videha - was released in February. It was a transformed version of poems of well-known author Haraprasad Das that explore the tantric aspect of Buddhism that influenced Odisha between 7th and 12th Century.