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Pushpa Bhuyan passes away

By Spl Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Oct 7 - Noted danseuse and exponent of Indian classical dance, Pushpa Bhuyan today passed away, after prolonged illness, at her Vasant Kunj house.

Winner of several prestigious awards, Bhuyan was admitted to the Max Hospital before she was taken home where she breathed her last.

Talking to this newspaper, her husband Naba Kamal Bhuyan, a prominent cricketer of his time, said she was suffering from nerve problems since last 12 years. �She survived critical conditions several times since 2013 but this time she could not be saved,� he said.

Bhuyan�s cremation would take place here tomorrow morning.

Considered a legend in the field of classical dance, Bhuyan was honoured with the Padma Shree in 2002.

Born in Jorhat, she was a maestro of Bharat Natyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Manipuri and Sattriya dance forms. She was among the few Assamese to venture into this field as a professional.

A disciple of great Rukmini Devi, Pushpa Bhuyan learnt Kathak from Guru Vishnu Vaishalkar. Bhuyan, who has to her credit several performances in India and abroad, had performed since she was 18 years old, when she performed with her Guru Kubernath Pillai.

She was the first Assamese to take up Bharat Natyam to embark on career-oriented performances and recitals.

Pushpa was invited to perform in most of the Sabhas of Chennai with her Guru Kubernath Pillai as the Nattuvanar. She continued to perform in the Sabhas, such as Narada Gana Sabha, Krishna Gana Sabha, Brahma Gana Sabha, also the Music Academy (all in Chennai) along with her three daughters.

Pushpa Bhuyan and her three daughters have performed extensively all over the world, including the USA, France, UK, Belgium, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, Australia, and all the major places in India. Pushpa also used to run a dance school in Melbourne, Australia and at Lille, France.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi mourned the death of Pushpa Bhuyan. In a condolence message here this evening, the Chief Minister described Bhuyan�s contribution to the world of culture as unique. She has created a number of well accomplished artistes. Her death is an irreparable loss to the State, the Chief Minister said and prayed for the eternal peace of her departed soul, besides, extending sympathy to her bereaved family members.

Tezpur University Srimanta Sankaradeva Chair Professor Ranjit Kumar Dev Goswami said Pushpa Bhuyan played a major role in popularising the Sattriya dance form of Assam. Her death is a great loss for the State, said Prof Dev Goswami.

Nrityacharya Jatin Goswami, a towering personality in the world of Sattriya culture, said he was shocked to know that Pushpa Bhuyan is no more.

The Nrityacharya said Bhuyan had made immense contribution towards the Sattriya dance. Her death is an irreparable loss for Assam and India as well, he added.

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