India, July 30 -- On February 21 this year, as Sangeetacharya Amiya Ranjan Bandyopadhyay marked his 100th birthday with a performance at the Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture in Golpark, the audience sat spellbound. Defying his age, the maestro captivated the audiences until the very last note with the sheer power of his voice. On Wednesday, at around 2.30 pm, the centenarian Indian classical vocalist passed away in Kolkata. He had been admitted to SSKM Hospital on July 8 after suffering a hip bone injury. Although he was discharged after treatment, his condition deteriorated a few days later, leading to his readmission.
Born on February 21, 1927, into a family with a musical legacy spanning over 150 years, Pt Bandyopadhyay was among the country's finest exponents of the Khayal tradition. His passing marks the end of an era and leaves Indian classical music poorer. The son and disciple of Sangeetacharya Satya Kinkar Bandyopadhyay, he was a distinguished torchbearer of the Bishnupur gharana. Remaining true to his lifelong devotion to music, he continued to perform on stage well into his centenary, making him one of the senior-most active Khayal vocalists in the country. Age never came in the way of his discipline. He never missed his daily riyaaz and would often record his practice sessions, listening to them later with a critical ear to refine his singing further. A founding member and the first Head of the Department of Vocal Music at Rabindra Bharati University, Pt Bandyopadhyay possessed a remarkable ability to identify and nurture young talent.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.