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Dr Birendra Nath Datta Passes Away

Photo Utpal Datta, from Rainsoft Celander

Dr. Birendra Nath Datta, a venerable luminary in the realms of education and folklore, has passed away, leaving a profound void in the hearts of many. At the age of 90, the distinguished scholar and musician took his last breath on a somber Monday morning. Dr. Datta succumbed to his long-standing ailments at 7 a.m. within the confines of Dispur Polyclinic Hospital, where he had been under medical care since October 19. This untimely departure has cast a pall of sorrow over the educational and cultural communities of Assam.

Renowned for his exceptional talents as a singer and composer, Dr. Birendra Nath Datta was a stalwart in the world of modern songs and Borgeet. His musical prowess extended to lending his voice to several Assamese films, and he also provided invaluable assistance to Music Director Salil Chaudhury during the making of the Assamese film, "Aporajeya."

Following his demise, Dr. Datta's mortal remains were brought to his residence in Silpukhuri, drawing family, friends, and well-wishers who converged to pay their respects. The final rites were solemnized at the Navagraha cemetery. Dr. Birendra Nath Datta is survived by his son, Dr. Uddalak Datta, a business owner in Delhi, and two daughters, Dr. Sudeshna Choudhury and Dr. Upasana Datta.

Born in 1933, Dr. Birendra Nath Datta achieved his Ph.D. from Gauhati University in 1974. His doctoral thesis, titled 'A Study of the Folk Culture of the Goalpara District of Assam,' exemplified his unwavering commitment to preserving and propagating the rich cultural heritage of Assam. Dr. Datta's distinguished career was adorned with prestigious accolades, including the Padma Shri Award in 2009, the Mahapurush Shri Shri Madhavadeva Award in 2006, the Ajan Pir Award in 2008, the Leo Advertising Silpi Sanman in 2010, the Manik Chandra Chowdhury Memorial Award in 2011, and the Tagore Ratna Award of Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2011.

Tweet by Utpal Datta

Beyond his academic triumphs, Dr. Datta also held the esteemed position of President of the Asam Sahitya Sabha, a prominent literary institution in Assam, from 2003 to 2005. His influence extended to the realms of design and publishing, where a calendar featuring his photographs, released by the prominent publishing-design house RAINSOFT in 2010, created ripples in the cultural sphere of Assam. Dr. Birendra Nath Datta's legacy as a scholar, musician, and cultural icon will continue to resonate through the annals of Assamese history.