HT Correspondent
DIBRUGARH, Jan 6: Mala Dey, a renowned classical music artist and a pioneer in the cultural world of Dibrugarh, passed away on Sunday at the age of 81 due to age-related ailments. She was a resident of Shantipara Bashbari, Dibrugarh.
Dey was born to Shashanka Shekhar Sarkar and Suhasini Sarkar in Guwahati on September 12, 1944. At the young age of 18, she married Anil Kumar Dey, an established businessman from Dibrugarh. At the age of 30, Dey began her journey into the world of Indian classical music. Under the guidance of her mentor, Prahlad Das, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in classical music in 1975.
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She was closely associated with organisations like “Sangeet Vidyamandir” and “Sadarang Kala Mandir” in Amolapatty, Dibrugarh. Under her mentorship, more than 250 students were trained in classical music and successfully established themselves in the field.
Her demise is considered an irreparable loss not only for Dibrugarh but also for Assam’s classical music community. Mourning has spread across the region following her death. She is survived by her only son, daughter-in-law, grandson, and many other family members. Last year, on June 23, 2024, Mala Dey was specially honored with a memento during the Silver Jubilee event of the Social Center for Islamic Studies in Dibrugarh. Her last rites were performed on Monday at the Chowkidingee Crematorium in Dibrugarh.
