Renowned theatre artist, director and comedian Nityananda Das passed away at a private hospital in Puri on Wednesday night. He was 83.
Das’ body was taken to the Arnapurna Theatre in Cuttack, where several artists and intellectuals paid their last respects to the departed soul. His body was later taken to his birthplace at Balisahi in Cuttack district. Later, his last rites were performed at the Swargadwar in Puri.
Das, who acted in major roles in more than 150 stage plays and directed over 50 plays, was conferred with the Sangeet Natak Akademi award in 2006. He is known for his comic roles in several Odia movies, including Paradeshi Chadhei (1990) and Bapa (1997).
However, Das, who had also mastered Odishi dance, lost his right leg in a road accident in 2000.