Assamese vocalist Dipali Barthakur passed away after prolonged illness: Sources

Eminent Assamese vocalist Dipali Barthakur, known as 'the Nightingale of Assam', died on Friday following a prolonged illness at a hospital here, hospital sources said. She was 77 and is survived by her husband, painter Neelpaban Baruah. Barthakur was suffering from pneumonia, doctors attending her said. The Padma Shri awardee was afflicted by a debilitating motor neuron disease in 1969, due to which she was gradually losing her voice. She was initially confined to a wheelchair and was bedridden for the past several years.

A leading singer of the All India Radio, she had lent her voice to many popular films sings in the 1950s and 60s. Some of her Assamese songs which are still popular are 'Sonor Kharu Nalage Muk', 'Jundhone Junalite', 'Konmana Boroxire Sip', 'Senai Moi Jau Dei', 'O Bondhu Somali Pale Amar Phale' among many others. She sang her last song 'Luito Nejabi boi' in 1969, after which the motor neuron disease left her crippled. The acclaimed singer received the Padma Shri award in 1998 and the state government honored her with 'Silpi Bota' in 2010.

The state government had given an aid of Rs one lakh earlier this year to the ailing singer. She will be cremated with full state honors Saturday. Assam Governor Jagadish Mukhi and Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal condoled the demise of the singer says it was a great loss to the world of culture.