Prominent flutist, composer, and singer Prabhat Sarma passed away on Tuesday at the age of 85, as confirmed by family sources. His daughter, Tarali Sarma, a National Award-winning singer, shared that her father spoke with his wife after waking up at 4:30 am and later peacefully passed away in his sleep at his residence in the Ambikagiri Nagar area of Guwahati when his aunt tried to wake him at 6 am.
The demise of Prabhat Sarma has been met with deep sorrow, with Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal expressing that it is an irreparable loss to the state’s cultural landscape. Political parties and various organizations have also extended their condolences to the family of the renowned musician.
Prabhat Sarma, honored with numerous accolades, including the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2003 for his significant contributions to the folk and traditional music of Assam, was known for his extensive collection of musical instruments. He transformed a portion of his home into a miniature museum, breathing life into obsolete instruments by conducting orchestras with them.
Apart from his role as a music director for several films, Sarma composed background scores for numerous TV serials and stage plays. A respected folk singer, he was deeply involved in researching Sattriya dance, a classical form innovated by Srimanta Sankardeva in Assam.
Notable personalities from the cultural sphere, including Sattriya dance guru Jatin Goswami, folk singer Loknath Goswami, and lyricist Prasanta Bordoloi, visited Sarma’s residence to pay their respects. The final rites will take place at the Nabagraha crematorium, preceded by visits to significant cultural institutions, including Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra, All India Radio office, Rabindra Bhawan, Asam Sahitya Sabha, and Shahid Bhawan of AASU.