Assam’s esteemed vocalist, Sudakshina Sarma breathed her last at 8:25 in the morning on 3rd July 2024 in the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). She owes her passing away to numerous age-related issues like bed sores, sepsis, and aspiration pneumonia.
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Bhupen Hazarika’s sister Passes Away
GMCH Superintendent, Dr. Abhijit Sharma elaborated that Sudakshina had entered the Hospital gates on June 23, after being detected with pneumonia and pressure sores and was admitted to the Hospital’s ICU. Soon, her condition recuperated, and was shifted to a cabin. Unfortunately, on Sunday night, her health, exacerbated and passed away the next morning.
The 89-year-old Assamese singer is the younger sister of the well-known icon Bhupen Hazarika, who is credited with pioneering Assam’s culture and music into mainstream Hindi cinema. Her death is lamented by her husband Dilip Sharma, who is also a singer himself, and her daughter.
Recently, the family also mourned the death of Sarma’s son, Rishiraj Sarma in May 2024. Sadly, Sarma’s both sons, who too were notable singers, predeceased her.
Assam’s ‘Bright Star’ Mourned by Dignitaries
Calling Sarma a ‘bright star of Assam’s cultural world’. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his condolences and remarked how Sarma’s memorable renditions had enriched the world of music. Sudakshina’s demise leaves a huge void in the state’s cultural and musical sphere.
According to the hospital, the chanteuse wished to contribute her eyes and body for purposes of medical research. Her family will oblige to her decision after allowing her admirers to pay their final reverence.
Sarma’s Melodious Musical Career
Born as Nirupama in the Hazarika family, which was already notable for its musical prowess, Sudakshina began crooning in her early days with her brother, Bhupen.
The eminent All India Radio icon recorded her first song for gramophone records at the tender age of nine under the tutelage of the famed cultural proponent of Assam, Bishnu Rava.
Continuing on her trajectory in the musical world, Sarma lent her voice to many prominent Assamese films like Chikmik Bijuli, Abooj Bedona, Maniram Dewan, Parghat, and Hepah. Her songs Kotha Aru Xur, Xaratkalor Rati, and Jetuka Bolere are still echoed in the households of Assam.
Sudakshina also had an affable acquaintance with Mahatma Gandhi, who was mesmerised by the singer’s soothing voice when she sang “E Joy Raghunandan ” on his visit to Assam in 1946.
Having been advised by Gandhi to ‘never stop singing’, the veteran singer crooned her composition “Prithibir Shirot bajrapat porile” that translates into ‘A sudden tragedy strikes the world’, when Gandhi’s ashes were being immersed in the Brahmaputra river.
Sarmas’ Devotion for Assamese Music
Marrying poet and composer Dilip Sarma, proved to be a stimulator in her musical journey. Both, seasoned skilfully in Rabindra Sangeet, went on to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Assam through singing in various forms of music like folk, modern, classical etc.
They also experimented by warbling for a sundry of musical genres and proved their versatility by adapting to styles such as Goalparia, Bongeet, Bihunam, Kamrupi, Biyanam, and Borgeet with finesse and grace!
Wandering the regions of Assam and singing songs of love, amity, war, and harmony, the duo spread their sangeet to areas far and wide. They also strengthened their association with The Indian People’s Theatre Association (IPTA) by being zealous members and sharing an amiable bond with its Secretary, Mr. Hemango Biswas.
Both of them, being fervent espousals of Assamese Sangeet, were involved in several workshops and teaching activities to inculcate the spirit of traditional music in the new generation. They were acknowledged in 2002 when they were bestowed the Sangeet Natak Akademi award.
The death of the singer is a huge loss for the Assamese musical industry.
