Bhubaneswar, July 7: Rangabati performance by Odia singers Sona Mohapatra and Rituraj Mohanty at the popular musical show MTV Coke Studio has snowballed into a major controversy with senior politicians criticising the inclusion of state anthem Bande Utkal Janani in the song.

Senior Congress leader Niranjan Patnaik today said mixing the state anthem with the popular folk song was unacceptable.

"I am not against artistic freedom and see the need to strike a chord with the new generation so that they begin to appreciate Odisha's folk culture and popular music. But what has been produced here is a disrespectful rendition of the state's anthem and that cannot be condoned," said Patnaik.

"Besides, in such remixes, the rights of the original artistes and the uniqueness of the genre must be respected," he said.

The Assembly had recognised Bande Utkal Janani, written and composed by Kanta Kabi Laxmi Kanta Mohapatra, as the state's anthem. The song is known for having been an inspiration for freedom fighters and the stalwarts who were behind the formation of Odisha as a separate state.

"Since 1912, this anthem has been sung at all official functions with utmost respect. Disrespecting it is a punishable offence. The time has come for a law to prevent distortion of the state's anthem and to make it similarly punishable," said the former PCC president adding that Sambalpuri music had its unique flavour and charm but should not be distorted for commercial reasons.

Patnaik has demanded the state culture department to intervene in the matter.

Another prominent politician from west Odisha, Suresh Pujari said the rendition of Rangabati in the show had hurt sentiments of people in the region since the song was very close to their heart.

Rangabati was performed by artiste Sona Mohapatra and composed by Ram Sampath in a fusion version for MTV's popular music show Coke Studio. The famous Sambalpuri song included rap portions in other Indian languages. Reality show star Rituraj Mohanty sang the Bande Utkal Janini part.

"All we wanted was to celebrate our roots and the show gave us a platform for the same. We have not changed the words or have been disrespectful. We only wanted to give it a different touch and I feel that should not be a problem. We accept criticism. Many would have liked it and many would not have, but all I can say is that the show was done in good spirit," said Rituraj.

Recently, the music director and lyricist of the popular Sambalpuri song Rangabati Rangabati served a legal notice to Coca Cola, the sponsor of MTV Coke Studio, for airing the remake of the song without their permission.