Balangir, May 30: Music teacher and passionate singerPrabhasini Rath has been leading a miserable life. Her voice may have ruled many a heart, but it failed to move the government. At the fag end of her career, she is going from pillar to post to get her service regularised even after putting in 33 years in the job

Prabhasini’s songs in award-winning Sambalpuri film Bhukha are as fresh and heart throbbing as when the film got international recognition.

The rendition in the song number, Phathai Khaili Bela, has still been second to none as far as folk-based songs are concerned.

However, her singing performance has perhaps not impressed the government, especially the school and mass education department.

Her 33 years of struggle has not stirred hearts of the authorities.

Prabhasini has been struggling to get her job of music teacher regularised. She has still been running from pillar to post for her job even as she has to shoulder domestic responsibilities.

And what does the government pay per month? The amount is too paltry and less than the daily wage of an unskilled labourer. She began her career as music teacher with Rs 250 per month. It has now reached Rs 750.

“I joined as a music teacher in the Government Girls’ High School in Balangir town in 1978. At that time I was getting Rs 250. After some years, it was increased to Rs 500. Now they are giving me Rs 750,” said Prabhasini.

She developed the habit of singing at the age of four. She was inspired by her father and never took formal training. Later, she tied the knot with Manoj Mohanty, a noted Sambalpuri singer.

All through her career, she got several opportunities in All India Radio and Doordarshan, apart from singing for many Oriya films.

However, lady luck did not smile on her. Prabhasini, who wanted to become a permanent government music teacher, remained a mere part-time teacher in the 33 years of her teaching profession.

“I have devoted to the teaching profession to the fullest of my capacity. I don’t know why none heeded me when it came to giving me a job like other government teachers,” said Prabhasini.

Although the Orissa Administrative Tribunal (OAT) had directed the director of mass education department in April 1995 to take steps for regularising of her service within four months quoting 15 cases, in which the incumbent teachers were regularised, the department still remains unmoved.