GUWAHATI, Dec 21 - Legendary Assamese singer Dipali Barthakur who lent her golden voice to immortalise numbers such as Sonor kharu nalage mok and Bandhu somoy pale amar phale ebar ahi jaba passed away at Nemcare Hospital here this afternoon, creating a void that can never be filled up. She was 77.
Barthakur was hospitalised following respiratory problems on December 15. A family member said that although she was showing signs of recovery, her condition deteriorated suddenly and she breathed her last at 1.25 pm today.
Her body is being kept at her Saurabh Nagar, Beltola residence to enable the public to pay their last respects to their favourite singer. Her cremation will take place with full State honours tomorrow at Navagraha.
Barthakur, whose singing career was cut short four decades back following a debilitating disorder, rendered some of the best-remembered Assamese songs during her short career. A child prodigy who took to singing early, she recorded her first song Mor Bopai Lahori in All India Radio, Guwahati in 1958 while she was a Class IX student. Next came the song Joubone Amoni Kore Chenaidhon for the film Lachit Borphukan (1959). This was followed by the evergreen Bandhu somoy pale amar phale ebar ahi jaba composed by Rudra Baruah. The song was a raging hit and thereafter, she went on to render a number of evergreen hits during her decade-long career before she was diagnosed with a complicated motor neuron disease which hindered her singing and forced her to get around with a wheelchair. Later, she had to remain confined to bed for several years.
The �Nightingale of Assam� � as she was fondly called � recorded her last song Luit o nejabi boi in 1969. Some of her other popular Assamese songs, sung in her distinctive, inimitable style, include Senai moy jao, Jondhone jonalite tarawatik sai, konman boroxire sip, Dale dale kuli bulbuli, Kon ke rupawati jay, Bakul banat jonak jamini, Agali Baahore, Ahile pujare bela, etc.
Born to Bishwanath Barthakur and Chandrakanti Devi at Nilomoni Tea Estate, Sonari in Sivasagar on January 30, 1941, she was married to eminent artist Neel Pawan Baruah in 1976. Baruah took exemplary care of his ailing wife and dedicated himself wholeheartedly to look after her.
A recipient of many awards, Barthakur was also honoured with the Padma Shri in 1998. Other awards include Silpi Bota (2010) from the Assam government and Aideu Handique Silpi Award (2012) by the Sadou Asom Lekhika Somaroh Samiti.
The artiste fraternity of the State deeply mourned Barthakur�s death. Singer Zubeen Garg who visited her residence termed her as one of those rare breed of artistes who take birth once in many generations. �Dipali Barthakur was a legend. She is no longer with us but her creations will keep her in our collective conscience. We should also strive to preserve and promote her songs for posterity,� he said.