Bhubaneswar: Lyricist Gurukrushna Goswami, who wrote more than 1,600 folk, devotional and modern songs, for nearly 30 Odia films, breathed his last at his residence near Shelter Chhak in Cuttack on Sunday. Goswami was 84.

His words touched the lives of many people. He had established his prominence as scriptwriter, lyricist and music director in the Odia film industry for more than six decades.

Goswami was honoured with the State Best Lyricist Award in 1996, Bhaktakabi Salbeg Award and Orissa Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2000.

Odia Gitikabi Samaj and singers described him as a legend in the Odia music industry. Secretary of Odia Gitikabi Samaj Manoj Pattnaik said: "His death is a big loss for the Odia music. With his death an era of Odia lyrics has come to an end."

His popular songs in Odia films include Mu Je Janena Kaha Bata, E Banara Chhayi and Phulei Rani Sajaphula. His last rites will be performed at Sati Chaura cremation ground.

Singer Debashis Mohapatra said: "Many of his songs have been immensely successful not only for the music but also for the beauty of words."