Jitendra Haripal

Jitendra Haripal (or Jitendria Haripal), a singer, is most popularly known for his voice in the famous and super hit Rangabati Song in Sambalpuri language of Odisha. He sang this duet song with his female co-singer Krishna Patel. He has sung over 1000 songs and regarded as a top exponent of Sambalpuri language song . He has shared the stage with other leading artists of the State including the former Chief Minister Giridhar Gamang, himself a fine musician. He received the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award of India from the Government of India in 2017 for his contribution to the Indian Music.

Personal life Haripal dropped out of school and has never taken formal training for songs. He has borrowed this skill from his father Mandhata Haripal, who was a talented musician himself. Being very poor, he could not afford a teacher. His family was landless. They have the only property as singing. In an interview to The Hindu he says, "I know the raagas but not their titles, It is only when people tell me that the song you have sung is in this or that raaga that I get to know the names".

Contribution for upliftment of Sambalpuri folk music In April 2015, Haripal submitted a petition to secretary, tourism and culture, Aurobinda Padhi seeking his intervention to ensure that folk songs retain their original glory. He does not like the obscene and vulgar lyrics in Sambalpuri folk songs now-a-days and wants to censor the video albums.

Awards and felicitations Jitendra Haripal and Krishna Patel were conferred with DLitt (Honoris Causa) at the fourth convocation of Utkal University of Culture in Bhubaneswar on 10 April 2015. In 2012, he was the brand ambassador for Western Samurai, Rourkela T-20 team for the Odisha Premier League. In 2017, the prestigious "Padma Shri" was conferred upon him