Rabindra Sangeet Legend Arghya Sen Passes Away at 90 in Kolkata

Rabindra Sangeet Legend Arghya Sen Passes Away at 90 in Kolkata

Rabindra Sangeet exponent Arghya Sen died at his home in Santoshpur, Kolkata on Wednesday. He was 90 years old. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed deep sorrow over his demise.

Musical Journey and Training

Arghya Sen began his musical training under Ashoktaru Bandyopadhyay. His guru Debabrata Biswas instructed him to mimic his style to absorb its essence. Sen also received training from Kamal Dasgupta. He learned Atulprasad and Rajanikanta songs from Dilip Kumar Roy and Manju Gupta.

Career Highlights and Missed Opportunities

Dancer Uday Shankar once wanted Sen to travel abroad with him for Tagore's 'Chandalika'. However, Sen could not get leave from his job as a research assistant at the Indian Statistical Institute. He worked there with Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis. At Shankar's request, Sen recorded songs that played during performances abroad.

Sen briefly worked in theatre. He shared the stage with Sombhu Mitra in Bohurupee. He acted in 'Streer Patra'.

Awards and Recognition

Arghya Sen received the Sangeet Natak Akademi award in 1997. Sombhu and Shaoli Mitra recommended him for this honor. He earned the Sangeet Natak Academy-Tagore Fellowship in 2012.

Early Recordings and Personal Life

In 1961, Dakshinee founder Suvo Guhathakurata brought Sen to record his first songs. These were 'Chhinno Patar Sajai Tarani' and 'Ei sraboner buker bhitor'. His first duet featured Ritu Guha.

Born in 1935 in Faridpur, Sen is survived by two sisters. His sister Gauri recalled a concert with danseuse Manjushri Chaki. George-da praised Sen, saying he had surpassed him.

Student Manas Pal said Sen taught how to marry lyrics and tune for true expression.