What is "rangabati"

Rangabati is arguably the most popular recorded song in Odisha. The song was first recorded for All India Radio in the mid-1970s. After its popularity, a record company from Kolkata (then Calcutta)- Indian Record Manufacturing Company Ltd (INRECO), recorded the song in 1976. The disc release was delayed because of some dispute and finally, it was released in 1978–79. The Sambalpuri song was written by Mitrabhanu Gauntia and composed by Prabhudatta Pradhan and sung by Jitendra Haripal and Krishna Patel. In the 1970s and 1980s the song gained popularity for being played in marriage procession and murti immersion. The song got official recognition as it was played in the tableau of Odisha as part of the Republic Day (India) celebration in New Delhi in 2007. The chief singer Jitendra Haripal was felicitated by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik later that year. The song has also been used as the cheer song during an international cricket match in Barabati Stadium, Cuttack. "Rangabati" was recreated in many other languages of India and has been recreated in Telugu for a movie.