Assam: Eminent Litterateur, Singer Dr Lakshahira Das Passes Away at 94

GUWAHATI: Renowned litterateur, lyricist, poet, and singer Dr. Lakshahira Das passed away in the early hours of Saturday following a cardiac arrest. She breathed her last at 2:30 AM at her residence in Guwahati's Rajgarh.

At the time of her demise, she was 94 years old, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in Assamese literature and music.

Born on February 13, 1931, in Sualkuchi, Lakshahira Das was the mother of renowned ghazal singer Anirban Das. She was a renowned lyricist for Guwahati Akashvani (All India Radio) and also contributed immensely to Assamese culture and music.

In 2022, she was awarded the Achiever Award by Pratidin Time. Her remarkable talent as a playback singer was recognized by the Best Playback Singer Award for the movie Lachit Barphukan in 1968.

Dr. Das was also a successful academician. She retired as the Head Professor of the Department of Education of Gauhati University in 1993. In a gesture of appreciation for her role in enriching Assam's cultural heritage, the Assam Government awarded her the Silpi Award in 2003. She was also a recipient of the Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Award, an award that goes to only a select few.

Interestingly, Lakshahira Das was the lone Assamese female artist who was awarded honors by All India Radio as a lyricist, composer, and singer in 1948. She had reached this feat during her time as an undergraduate student at Cotton College.

Over her six-decade-long career, she wrote close to 2,000 songs and provided her voice for various LPs and records with legendary artists like Ambikagiri Ray Choudhury, Umesh Chandra Choudhury, and Nalini Bala Devi. Her work with Indian music was immense, as 22 of her compositions were recorded by the Gramophone Company of India (HMV).

She also rendered and taped almost 50 Rabindra Sangeet pieces to All India Radio, extending the popularity of Assamese music further.

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal was saddened by her death, terming her a venerated artist, educator, and prominent writer. He remembered how her soulful voice enchanted numerous listeners, including him.

"I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of the revered artist, educator, and distinguished writer, Dr. Lakhyahira Das Baideu, whose heartfelt voice mesmerized countless listeners, including myself. Baideu’s invaluable contributions to Assam’s cultural and educational fields will always be remembered. In this moment of grief, I extend my deepest condolences to her bereaved family and admirers, and I pray for the eternal peace of her departed soul," he said.

The death of Dr. Lakshahira Das closes a chapter in the history of Assamese music and literature. Nevertheless, her contributions will be remembered and cherished by future artists and scholars to come, and her legacy will last for generations.

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