Renowned Sculptor & Odisha MP Raghunath Mohapatra dies of Covid

TNI Bureau:   Eminent sculptor & Rajya Sabha MP from Odisha, Padma Vibhushan Raghunath Mohapatra died on Sunday at a hospital in Bhubaneswar due to COVID-19 complications. He was 78.

Mohapatra was admitted to AIIMS, Bhubaneswar on April 22 after being diagnosed with COVID 19.

Raghunath Mohapatra, a doyen of stone sculpture was awarded Padma Shri in 1975, Padma Bhushan in 2001 and Padma Vibhushan in 2013 for his contribution towards preservation of ancient manuments and architectural structures. He won his first national award at the age of 22.

Raghunath Mohapatra had a dream to construct a 2nd Konark, but it remained unfulfilled.

Earlier, PM Narendra Modi had spoken to Raghunath Mohapatra’s son  to enquire about his health condition.

Padma Vibhushan Raghunath Mohapatra will be cremated with full state honours, announces Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik.

Saddened by the demise of MP Shri Raghunath Mohapatra Ji. He made pioneering contributions to the world of art, architecture and culture. He will be remembered for his contributions towards popularising traditional crafts. My thoughts are with his family and admirers. Om Shanti.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 9, 2021

Hon'ble Governor is anguished to learn about the sad demise of sculptor of international repute & RajyaSabha Member Sri Raghunath Mohapatra and conveyed his sympathy to his family & friends. 'He will be eternally remembered for his exquisite sculptures,'observed Hon'ble Governor.

— Governor Odisha (@GovernorOdisha) May 9, 2021

ଅନ୍ତର୍ଜାତୀୟ ଖ୍ୟାତି ସମ୍ପନ୍ନ ଶିଳ୍ପୀ ତଥା ସାଂସଦ ରଘୁନାଥ ମହାପାତ୍ରଙ୍କ ଦେହାନ୍ତ ବିଷୟରେ ଜାଣି ମୁଁ ଦୁଃଖିତ। ଓଡ଼ିଶାର କଳା ଓ ଐତିହ୍ୟକୁ ସମୃଦ୍ଧ କରିବା ଦିଗରେ ତାଙ୍କ ଅତୁଳନୀୟ ଅବଦାନ ପାଇଁ ସେ ସର୍ବଦା ସ୍ମରଣୀୟ ରହିବେ। ତାଙ୍କ ଅମର ଆତ୍ମାର ସଦଗତି କାମନା ସହ ଶୋକସନ୍ତପ୍ତ ପରିବାର ସଦସ୍ୟଙ୍କ ପ୍ରତି ମୋର ସମବେଦନା ଜଣାଉଛି।

— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) May 9, 2021

Anguished by the passing away of the doyen of stone sculpture, an illustrious son of Odisha and Rajya Sabha MP Padma Vibhushan Shri Raghunath Mohapatra. A man who could infuse life into stones, Raghunath ji was one of the biggest ambassadors of Odisha’s art, culture and history. pic.twitter.com/pyH2LdhCjC

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) May 9, 2021

ସୁଖ୍ୟାତ ପଥର ଶିଳ୍ପୀ ତଥା ସାଂସଦ ରଘୁନାଥ ମହାପାତ୍ରଙ୍କ ଦେହାନ୍ତ ବିଷୟରେ ଜାଣି ମୁଁ ଦୁଃଖିତ। ତାଙ୍କ ନିହାଣରେ ଓଡ଼ିଶା କଳା ଓ ଭାସ୍କର୍ଯ୍ୟ ବେଶ ଜୀବନ୍ତ ହୋଇଉଠିଥିଲା। ତାଙ୍କ ଦେହାନ୍ତ ଏକ ଅପୂରଣୀୟ କ୍ଷତି। ଶୋକସନ୍ତପ୍ତ ପରିବାରବର୍ଗଙ୍କ ପ୍ରତି ସମବେଦନା ଜଣାଇବା ସହ ତାଙ୍କ ଅମର ଆତ୍ମାର ସଦଗତି କାମନା କରୁଛି।

— Pranab Prakash Das (@pranabpdas) May 9, 2021

Deeply anguished by the passing away of eminent stone sculptor, Rajya Sabha MP and Padma Vibhushan awardee Shri Raghunath Mohapatra.

It's a huge loss for Odisha. My deep condolences to the bereaved family.

Om Shanti. ??? pic.twitter.com/HxrmtBP23f

— Bhrugu Baxipatra (@BhruguBJP) May 9, 2021

It's a terrible news. Deeply saddened at this untimely demise of renowned Sculptor, Padma Vibhushan awardee and my Senior Rajya Sabha colleague Shri Raghunath Mohapatra.

It's a huge loss for our State as well as the Nation. A void has heen created at his demise. Om Shanti. ? pic.twitter.com/pPgd1z6XCw

— Sujeet Kumar (@SujeetKOfficial) May 9, 2021

Deeply pained at passing away of eminent sculptor, Hon'ble Rajya Sabha MP & Padma Vibhushan Shri. Raghunath Mohapatra. He was a legend, humility with affection personified. His hands breathed life into stones. My deepest condolences to his family. May his soul rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/3tZIovPlj0

— Dr. Sasmit Patra I ଡ଼ଃ ସସ୍ମିତ ପାତ୍ର (@sasmitpatra) May 9, 2021