NALBARI, Feb 22 � Renowned artist of the State, Adya Sarma, breathed his last at a private hospital here around 5.47 pm this evening at the age of 85 years.
Sarma, who was affectionately called Guruji, had been suffering from old-age ailments for a long time. Yesterday his condition deteriorated, necessitating his admission in the hospital this morning.
As the news of his demise spread, people in large numbers thronged the hospital to offer their last respects to the doyen of art and culture.
Sarma was born in 1929 at Makhibaha village in Nalbari district in a very poor family. For his contributions in the field of art, he was awarded the artist pension by the State government. Sarma was the recipient of various prestigious awards like Bishnu Rabha Bota, Asom Natya Sanmilan award (2010), Bhaben Baruah award (2010), Pranab Baruah Silpi Bota (2006), and the �Chitra Bhaskar� title conferred by the Sanskrit Mahasabha in 2011.
His mortal remains will be kept tonight at the Nalbari Art School, which was founded by Sarma, and a proccession carrying his body will be taken out in the town tomorrow.
