Odia playback singer Humane Sagar, whose powerful, unmistakable voice shaped an entire era of Odia film music, died on November 17 at the age of 34. The singer was on advanced life support at AIIMS Bhubaneswar for more than three days but did not recover, leaving the Ollywood music industry and thousands of fans in shock.
Sagar was admitted on October 14 in critical condition. Doctors later confirmed that he was battling multi-organ dysfunction, acute to chronic liver failure, bilateral pneumonia and severe heart complications. Despite constant monitoring, his condition worsened and he died on Monday evening.
The Rise That Changed Odia Film Music
Born on 25 November 1990 in Titilagarh, Bolangir district, Sagar grew up in a family where music was a way of life. His grandfather composed private albums while both his parents were singers, laying the groundwork for a child who would one day become one of Odia cinema’s most beloved voices.
His breakthrough came in 2012 through Voice of Odisha Season 2, where his expressive, emotional singing instantly connected with the audience. Winning the show catapulted him into the limelight and opened the door to Ollywood playback.
From ‘Ishq Tu Hi Tu’ to 150+ songs
Sagar made his playback debut in 2015 with the title track Ishq Tu Hi Tu composed by Abhijit Majumdar. The song became a sensation and his voice soon became synonymous with love ballads, heart-rending anthems and highly dramatic soundtracks in Odia cinema.
Over ten years, he recorded over 150 film songs and nearly 200 album tracks, including favorites such as:
- Sehzadi About Sehzadi
- Mu Pardesi Chadhei
- Suea Sara Gote
- Tum Mo Love Story
- Nishwasa Bina Chalena
- Pyar Bala Hichki
He was often referred to by fans as ‘the voice of Anubhav Mohanty’ due to the long list of hits he delivered for the Ollywood superstar.
Public figure outside the studio
In 2019, Sagar joined the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) to work on cultural and youth initiatives. Although politics never overshadowed his music career, it reflected his desire to contribute to the country off the stage.
A life marked by talent, confusion and immense popularity
Sagar married singer and The Voice of Odisha contestant Shriya Mishra in 2017 and the couple has a daughter. Their marriage later ended in a high-profile divorce, and friends often spoke of how deeply he felt personal and emotional losses, including the death of his father.
Despite his personal problems, his popularity never waned. His songs have remained a fixture on playlists, reels and radio, making him one of the defining voices of Odia cinema in the 2010s and 2020s.
A legacy that lives on
Humane Sagar’s journey from small-town upbringing to domestication reflected both the reach of raw talent and the emotional honesty he brought to every song. His death will leave a void in Ollywood that fans say will never be filled.
