Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI: Popular mass singer Surya Das breathed his last at the age of 84 at Morigaon today. He leaves behind his wife, two sons, two daughters, and grandchildren. His mortal remains were consigned to flames at the Nabagraha crematorium today.
Born on July 31, 1940, to Jeoram Das and Poneswari Das at Tetelisora Gaon in the Kampur area in the Nagaon district, he started his education at Tetelisora Adarsha Prathamik Vidyalaya. Receiving a scholarship in Class III, he got admission into Nagaon Government Boys' School and came to Don Bosco School, Guwahati, in Class VII. He had his HS (Higher Secondary) from Arya Vidyapeeth HS School, Guwahati, and graduation from B Barooah College, Guwahati.
During his school life, he had the opportunity to have the company of many singers of repute. He got accolades by singing a song of Dr. Bhabendranath Saikia while reading in Nagaon Government Boys' School. His turning point as a singer was when he came to the notice of Sudhakantha Dr. Bhupen Hazarika at Lumding Railway Auditorium, where he sang a song of Jatin Bora-"Ei"Kolongor pare, ei dolongor ghate"-in the 1950s. A mesmerised Bhupen Hazarika assured Surya Das of making him dazzle like the sun. Dr. Hazarika took Surya Das to Calcutta and recorded four songs on two gramophone records. He was a recognised singer of All India Radio, Guwahati.
Some of his popular numbers are 'Manuh dekhisu aaji, Tahani asil Gopinath, Mor ei matiei ghar, mor goti nai, Koto basanta korilo onto, ete.'
His number, 'Asom Gana Parishad, tumak chiro namaskar,' that he sang when the AGP was floated in Golaghat, was one of his most popular songs.
He joined the state Forest Department and then joined the Irrigation Department, as if to quit not being able to cope with his involvement in movements. He also gave his voice as a playback singer in an Assamese cinema, 'Obuj Bedana.'.
Some of his best-selling cassettes were 'Ajir Manu, Natun Diganta, Ronga Surya, Mor Gaan, Natun Somoi, Ajir Somoi, etc.' He also had a collection of poetry, 'Tez Okonman Diba Neki Syahi Buli.'
Rebot Kumar Hazarika wrote Surya Das' biography, 'Ganashilpi Surya Das.'
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Cultural Affairs Minister Bimal Borah, AGP president and minister Atul Bora, AGP working president Keshab Mahanta, APCC president Bhupen Borah, AIUDF president Badruddin Ajmal, and others condoled his demise.
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