Eminent folk singer Sushama Das no more

Ekushey Padak-winning folk singer Sushama Das has passed away.

She breathed her last on Wednesday (March 26) at her residence in Howladerpara, Sylhet city. She was 95 years old at the time of her death, and had been suffering from various age-related illnesses for some time.

According to her family, she fell critically ill on March 13 and was on the verge of life and death. As her condition worsened, she was kept at home.

For her contributions to folk music, Sushama Das was awarded the Ekushey Padak in 2017. She had also received numerous other accolades for her devotion to folk music.

The artiste was celebrated throughout her life for her deep devotion to Bangladeshi folk music. Over the years, she received numerous honours that reflected her immense contributions to the art form. She was awarded the Kolkata 'Baul Fakir Utsav' Honor (1417 Bengali Year) for her connection to the soul of Baul and Fakiri music. In 2015, she was recognised by the District Shilpakala Academy for her lifelong dedication to preserving traditional folk songs. The Radha Raman Utsav Felicitation in 2017 paid tribute to her mastery of Radha Raman's timeless compositions, and in 2019, she was honoured with the Rabindra Padak, acknowledging her influence in the world of Bengali folk music.

Born in 1929 in Putka village of Shalla Thana, Dirai Upazila, Sunamganj, Sushama Das was the eldest among six siblings. Her father was the renowned folk poet Rasiklal Das, and her mother was folk poet Dibyamayi Das.

Her younger brother, Pandit Ramkanai Das, was also an Ekushey Padak recipient. She hailed from a family deeply rooted in music, with many members dedicating their lives to the art.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday at 7:30 pm, her body was taken to the Sylhet Central Shaheed Minar for people from all walks of life to pay their respects.