Sumitra Sen
{{Short description|Indian Bengali singer (1933–2023)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2025}}
Sumitra Sen (7 March 1933 – 3 January 2023) was an Indian Bengali singer and an exponent of Rabindra Sangeet. Her rendition style popularised Tagore's songs without losing the original notations.{{Cite news |date=2023-01-04 |title=Singer Sumitra Sen passes away |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/singer-sumitra-sen-passes-away/articleshow/96722846.cms |access-date=2023-12-29 |issn=0971-8257}}{{Citation |title=Tribute To Sumitra Sen {{!}} Top Sumitra Sen Bengali Songs {{!}}Ma Go Tabu Beene {{!}}Sakhi Bhabana Kahare Bale |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DllgxwBqFQ |access-date=2023-12-29 |language=en}}
Career
Sen started her singing career in 1951 with two Nazrulgeetis, 'Gother rakhal bole de re' and 'Bedonar bedi tole'. Her famous songs include one with Pratima Banerjee, 'Aamtalay jhamur jhumur'. She also sang folk songs. But she is known for her Rabindra Sangeet renditions, which carved a niche for her. She recorded over 150 Tagore songs. She also lent her voice to popular stage productions like Shyama, Shaapmochon, Balmiki Pratibha, and Barshamangal, as well as to 16 movies in Tollywood.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-03 |title=Rabindra Sangeet exponent Sumitra Sen passes away at 89 |url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/entertainment/veteran-rabindra-sangeet-exponent-sumitra-sen-passes-away-at-89-15567631.htm |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=CNBCTV18 |language=en}} Her rendition of 'Mago tobo bine sangeeto premo lalito' for Pankaj Mullick's 'Mahisashuramardini' created history said Jayati Chakraborty, another well-known Bengali singer in an obit in Times of India. She was associated with institutes of eminence related to Tagore like the Rabindra Bharati University and many others.{{Cite web |title=Sumitra Sen, Rabindra sangeet legend, passes away |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/entertainment/2023/01/03/sumitra-sen-rabindra-sangeet-legend-passes-away.html |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=The Week |language=en}}
Death and legacy
Sen died at her Ballygunge home on 3 January 2023, at the age of 89.{{Cite web |title=Rabindra Sangeet artist Sumitra Sen passes away at 89 |url=https://www.businessinsider.in/thelife/personalities/news/rabindra-sangeet-artist-sumitra-sen-passes-away-at-89/articleshow/96700666.cms |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=Business Insider}} She was survived by her two daughters, Indrani and Sraboni, who are also well-known Bengali singers.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-03 |title=Rabindra Sangeet exponent Sumitra Sen passes away at 89 |url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/entertainment/veteran-rabindra-sangeet-exponent-sumitra-sen-passes-away-at-89-15567631.htm |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=CNBCTV18 |language=en}} At the time of her death she had been suffering from broncho-pneumonia issues for some time.{{Cite news |last=PTI |date=2023-01-03 |title=Noted Rabindra Sangeet exponent Sumitra Sen dies in Kolkata |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/noted-rabindra-sangeet-exponent-sumitra-sen-dies-in-kolkata/article66334218.ece |access-date=2023-12-29 |issn=0971-751X}}{{Cite web |last=PTI |date=2023-01-03 |title=Legendary Singer Sumitra Sen Passes Away At 89 |url=https://news.abplive.com/entertainment/sumitra-sen-death-legendary-singer-sumitra-sen-passes-away-at-age-89-kolkata-1573349 |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=news.abplive.com |language=en}} She had many students and followers.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-03 |title=Eminent Rabindra Sangeet exponent Sumitra Sen dies |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/art-and-culture/eminent-rabindra-sangeet-exponent-sumitra-sen-dies-8357916/ |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-01-03 |title=Legendary singer Sumitra Sen passes away at 89 |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/legendary-singer-sumitra-sen-passes-away-at-89-article-96697771 |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=TimesNow |language=en}} West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed condolences to the bereaved family.{{Cite web |last=IANS |date=2023-01-03 |title=Acclaimed Rabindra Sangeet artist Sumitra Sen passes away |url=https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/acclaimed-rabindra-sangeet-artist-sumitra-sen-passes-away |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=National Herald |language=en}}
Awards
- Sen was awarded Sangeet Mahasamman by West Bengal government in 2012.{{Cite web |title=Sumitra Sen: 5 Points On Rabindra Sangeet Exponent |url=https://www.ndtv.com/feature/sumitra-sen-5-points-on-rabindra-sangeet-exponent-3659549 |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=NDTV.com}}{{Cite web |title=Rabindrasangeet exponent Sumitra Sen passes away at 89 |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/rabindrasangeet-exponent-sumitra-sen-passes-away-at-89/cid/1907476 |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=www.telegraphindia.com |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=2023-01-03 |title=Rabindra Sangeet legend Sumitra Sen passes away |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/music/iconic-singer-sumitra-sen-passes-away/articleshow/96699341.cms |access-date=2024-01-01 |issn=0971-8257}}
- Sangeet Natak Academy award for lifetime contribution.
References
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Category:Indian women classical singers
Category:Rabindra Sangeet exponents
Category:20th-century Indian women singers
Category:20th-century Indian singers
Category:21st-century Indian women singers
Category:21st-century Indian singers
Category:Women musicians from West Bengal