Assam's Nightingale Dipali Barthakur dies at 77 in Guwahati

Guwahati: In a sad demise, the Nightingale of Assam Dipali Barthakur dies at the age of 77 at Guwahati's Nemcare Hospital after prolong illness at around 1.25 pm today.

The 77-year old vocalist was reportedly suffering from a motor neuron disease for the past four decades and was admitted to Nemcare Hospital recently with age-related ailments.

As per reports, many eminent artists like Garima Saikia Garg, singer Tarali Sharma, Actor Jatin Borah, State Cultural Affairs Minister Naba Doley, singer Prashanta Rajkhowa, senior journalist and writer Hyder Hussain were present paid their last visit at Nemcare Hospital today.

Sources also informed that her last rights will be performed at Nabagrapha Cremation Ground in Guwahati's Silpukhuri area on Saturday at around 11.00 am.

Meanwhile, vocalist Barthakur's body has been shifted to her residence in Beltola Sourav Nagar.

The 'Padma Shri ' awardee sung mainly in the Assamese language. As per earlier records, vocalist Barthakur received the fourth-highest civilian award of India in the year 1998.

The Nightingale of Assam, Dipali Barthakur was born to Bishwanath Borthakur and Chandrakanti Devi in Sonari at Sivasagar district (present Charaideo District) of Assam.

In her Musical career, she started her career as a singer when she was studying in class nine in the year 1958.

She sang the song "Mor Bopai Lahori" on All India Radio, Guwahati and the song "Joubone Amoni Kore Chenaidhon" for the film Lachit Borphukan (1959).

It may be mentioned that some of her other popular Assamese songs are "Sonor Kharu Nalage Muk", "Jundhone Junalite", "Konmana Boroxire Sip", "Senai Moi Jau Dei", "O' Bondhu Somoi Pale Amar Phale".

A biography of Nightingale Dipali Barthakur also claims that she sang her last song "Luito Nejabi Boi" in the year 1969.

Further, the singer also had to go through some tough period as she began to suffer from a severe Motor neuron disease which hindered her singing and forced her to get around with a wheelchair.

In her earlier life, she got married to Neel Pawan Barua, an eminent Indian artist and painter from Assam and son of renowned Assamese writer Binanda Chandra Barua in the year 1976.

Apart from the fouth highest civilian award, the singer also received Silipi Bota in the year 2010 from Government of Assam and Aideu Handique Silpi Award in the year 2012 by the Sadou Asom Lekhika Somaroh Samiti.

Earlier, the Government of Assam had provided financial aid of Rs 1 lakh for the treatment of eminent vocalist Dipali Borthakur, as per an official release.

Assam Chief Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal's media adviser Hrishikesh Goswami recently paid a visit to her residence and handed over a cheque of Rs 1 lakh to her husband and noted artist Nilpaban Baruah, the release stated further.

It may further be mentioned that the financial aid was given from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.

The 77-year old vocalist, who has been suffering from a motor neuron disease for the past four decades, was admitted to a local hospital recently with age-related ailments.