Veteran Rabindra Sangeet Singer Bibha Sengupta Dies at 94

Veteran Rabindra Sangeet singer Bibha Sengupta has died at the age of 94. She passed away on Tuesday morning while undergoing treatment at a hospital. The veteran artist had been receiving medical care for several age-related complications.

According to reports in the Indian media, singer Shrabani Sen confirmed Sengupta’s death. She said Sengupta was generally healthy and active, although she occasionally required blood transfusions, possibly due to low haemoglobin levels.

Just days before her death, Sengupta had received an honour at her residence. On September 29, the organisation Lokabharati visited her home and felicitated the veteran singer.

Musician Alok Raychowdhury was present at the event. He recalled that Sengupta appeared energetic and spontaneous that day, and the two spoke at length about various subjects.

Despite her long career, Sengupta largely stayed away from the limelight. She gained renewed recognition among audiences during the final decade or so of her life. However, she remained more interested in teaching music and nurturing a new generation of students than in pursuing popularity.

Sengupta also held deep respect for legendary Rabindra Sangeet exponent Debabrata Biswas and observed his birth anniversary every year with dedication.

Born in Tripura, Sengupta moved permanently to Kolkata in 1959. She began her musical training under Maya Sen and later taught at a music education centre.

Through decades of performing, teaching and dedicating herself to Rabindra Sangeet, Bibha Sengupta established a distinctive place in the musical world. Her death has cast a pall of grief over the music community.