Prabhat Sarma

Prabhat Sarma
প্ৰভাত শৰ্মা
Sarma playing flute at his residence
Sarma playing flute at his residence
Background information
Born(1935-07-07)7 July 1935
Barpeta, Assam, India
Died2 March 2021(2021-03-02) (aged 85)
Guwahati, Assam, India
GenreFolk
OccupationsFlutist
Music Director
InstrumentsFlute
Khol
Nagara
Bhortal
Dotara
Tabla

Prabhat Sarma (Assamese: প্ৰভাত শৰ্মা) (7 July 1935 – 2 March 2021) was a folk exponent and flutist from Assam, India.

Personal life and family

Sarma's daughter, Tarali Sarma, is a National Award–winning singer.

Career

Sarma was a staff artist in the Information and Public Relations Department of the Government of Assam from 1960 to the end of 1990. He joined Akashvani Guwahati Centre in 1973 and retired in 1998.

Sarma formed a musical team called Panchjanya Sankhadhanni with various indigenous musical instrumentalists from Assam. Panchjanya Sankhadhanni was later renamed Devgandhar. In addition to working as a music director in Assamese films such as Black Money, Santaan, Sandhyarag, Sarathi, Aaponjan, Mohmukti, Anal, Kadamatale Krishna Naache, and Shrimanta Shankardev, Sarma also composed music for Assamese TV serials such as Patharughate Ringiyai and Brikodar Baruar Biya.

Sarma was regarded as a distinguished performer of Borgeet, which were composed by Srimanta Sankardeva and Madhavdeva in the 15th–16th centuries.

Sarma also explored Sattriya dance, a classical form pioneered in Assam by Srimanta Sankardeva. He had a number of musical instruments, including some that are now obsolete, and built a miniature museum. He later used these rare instruments in orchestral performances. He played various indigenous folk instruments such as the Khol, Nagara, Bhortal, Dotara, and Tabla.

Awards

Sarma received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2003 for his contribution to the traditional and folk music of Assam. He was honoured with the Asom Shilpi Diwas Award by the Government of Assam in 2001.

Death

Sarma died on 2 March 2021 due to age-related ailments.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Prabhat Sarma". Sangeet Natak Akademi. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  2. 1 2 "Eminent Assamese musician, flute player Prabhat Sarma dies". Outlook. Archived from the original on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 "বিশিষ্ট শিল্পী প্ৰভাত শৰ্মাক সেউজ সংঘত শেষ শ্ৰদ্ধাঞ্জলী". Asomiya Pratidin (in Assamese). Archived from the original on 14 August 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  4. ↑ "Eminent Assamese musician, flute player Prabhat Sarma passes away". The Indian Express. 2 March 2021. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  5. ↑ "Prabhat Sarma: A true music legend". The Assam Tribune. 12 March 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  6. ↑ "SNA: List of Akademi Awardees". Sangeet Natak Akademi Official website. Archived from the original on 31 March 2016.
  7. ↑ "Eminent Flutist-Musician Prabhat Sarma Passes Away". Pratidin Time. Retrieved 2 March 2021.