Jharana Das

Jharana Das
Born	1945
Died	2 December 2022(2022-12-02) (aged 76–77) Cuttack, Odisha, India
Resting place	Cuttack[1]
Known for	Acting
Notable work	Amada Bata Malajahna Sri Jagannath Adina Megha Abhinetri
Awards	Jaydev Puraskar Award 1977 Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award 2016

Jharana Das (Odia: ଝରଣା ଦାସ, 1945^[a] – 2 December 2022) was an Indian Ollywood actress and journalist. She was known for her contributions to the Odia film industry.^[2][3][4][5]

Life and career

Jharana Das started her career in the 1960s as a child artist and announcer for All India Radio, Cuttack where she produced creative content across drama, song and film.^[4] She later also worked as an assistant station director of Doordarshan in Cuttack.^[6]

Times Now stated that Das "chose a career in the movies at a time when not many chose to walk the path"^[4] and reported that she had to deal with family opposition to follow her calling. Her brother, who was in the Indian Air Force, convinced their family to allow Jharana to pursue her choice.^[4] She had taken voice culture training in Kolkata which may have added a dimension to her performance in films.^[4]

When she switched to acting, she became well known for her performances in films such as Amadu Bata, Bari, Sri Jagannath, Adina Megha, and Abhinetri.^[2][7][3][8] Other roles include Hisab Nikas, Pujafula, Malajanha, and Heera Nella, for which she won many awards.^[6] Overall, she appeared in approximately 40 films as the female lead.^[3]

She was also credited for directing a biographical documentary film on Harekrushna Mahatab, a freedom fighter and former chief minister.^[6]

She was the winner of the Lifetime Contribution Award of Jaydev Puraskar in 1977 and a beneficiary of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Award for lifetime achievement in 2016.^[9]

She was also assistant station director of Doordarshan in Cuttack and a trained classical dancer.^{[8][10][11][12]}

Her husband was the cameraman on her film Malajanha.^[11]

Death

Das died at her residence in Cuttack on 2 December 2022.^[12] Her death was recognised by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu.^[13][8] Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also expressed grief over the death of the actress and announced that her last rites will be performed with full state honours. Patnaik said in a statement

Her impactful performance on stage and film will always be remembered. May her soul rest in peace and my condolence to the bereaved family^[6]

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also gave condolences over Das's death.^[6]

Explanatory notes

1. Most sources reported her age to be 77 and a 1945 birth date, but several reported that she was aged 82, though most of these did not include a date of birth making the ones that did the more likely source.

References

1. Veteran actress Jharana Das buried with full state honours in Cuttack. Odisha TV. 3 December 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2024 – via YouTube.
2. "Veteran Odia film actor Jharana Das dies at 77, President Murmu remembers her 'outstanding contribution' to films". Hindustan Times. 2 December 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
3. Pradhan, Hemanta (3 December 2022). "Jharana Das, Doyen Of Odia Cinema, Passes Away At 82 | Bhubaneswar News". The Times of India. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
4. "Who is Jharana Das, the 'legendary actress' whose death President Droupadi Murmu condoled". TimesNow. 2 December 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
5. "Veteran Odia actress Jharana Das passes away at 82". India Today. 2 December 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
6. "Veteran Odia Actor Jharana Das Dies At 77". NDTV.com. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
7. "'Amada Bata' actress Jharana Das passes away at 82". The Economic Times. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
8. PTI (2 December 2022). "Veteran Odia film actress Jharana Das dies at 77". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
9. "Guru Kelucharan Awards for 2016 announced". The Pioneer. 1 September 2016. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
10. "Veteran Odia film actress Jharana Das dies at 77 – The New Indian Express". The New Indian Express. December 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
11. Pradhan, Hemanta (2 December 2022). "Jharana Das Death News: Noted Odisha actress, singer Jharana Das passes away at 77". The Times of India. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
12. "Veteran Odia film actress Jharana Das dies at 77". Tribune India News Service. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
13. "Veteran Odia film actress Jharana Das dies at 77, CM Naveen Patnaik condoles death". The Indian Express. 2 December 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2022.