Jalpaiguri:

North Bengal will no longer resonate with the mesmerising melodies of the Sarinda that once recreated the calls of birds and animals with astonishing perfection. The magical strings of the traditional folk instrument fell silent forever with the demise of Padma Shri awardee and legendary Sarinda maestro Mangala Kanta Roy.

The iconic folk artiste breathed his last at his residence in Dhowlaguri village under Amguri Gram Panchayat of Maynaguri block in Jalpaiguri district early on Friday morning. He was 104.

His death has cast a deep shadow of grief across the folk music and cultural fraternity of North Bengal, where he was regarded as one of the finest exponents of the Sarinda — a traditional string instrument deeply rooted in the region’s folk heritage.

Family members said the veteran musician had been suffering from age-related ailments for nearly a month. His elder son, Umakanta Roy, said Mangala Kanta Roy was first taken to Maynaguri Hospital after falling ill on April 27 and was later referred to Jalpaiguri Medical College and Hospital for advanced treatment.

“Doctors informed us that he had developed a tumour-like condition in his throat. After his condition stabilised slightly, he was brought back home where treatment continued. However, for the last week he had almost stopped eating completely. He finally breathed his last around 3 am on Friday,” his son said.

Widely celebrated for his extraordinary mastery over the Sarinda, Mangala Kanta Roy earned recognition for preserving the rich folk traditions of North Bengal through his unique performances.

He is survived by his wife, three sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren.

source/content: milleniumpost.in (headline edited)