Sat Feb 15 14:36:52 UTC 2025: ## Veteran Bengali Singer-Songwriter Pratul Mukhopadhyay Passes Away at 83

**Kolkata, West Bengal –** Renowned Bengali singer-songwriter Pratul Mukhopadhyay passed away on Saturday at the age of 83 after battling age-related ailments, including pancreatic issues. The singer, known for his socially conscious and protest songs often performed without instrumental accompaniment, received state honors at his farewell.

Mukhopadhyay, who was born in 1942 in Barisal (now Bangladesh), had been receiving treatment at Kolkata’s SSKM Medical College and Hospital. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited him recently, and videos of him singing his famous composition “Ami Banglay Gaan Gai” (I sing in Bengali) for her went viral. Despite receiving dedicated medical care, including placement in critical care, he succumbed to his illness.

Hundreds attended his funeral, including the Chief Minister and Governor Ananda Bose, who lauded Mukhopadhyay’s significant contributions to Bengali music. Minister Aroop Biswas confirmed the Chief Minister’s close monitoring of his health.

Friends and colleagues remembered Mukhopadhyay as a “free thinker” and “artiste with a cause,” highlighting his involvement in social movements and protests during his career. His songs, including “Dinga Bhasao Sagore” and “Amra Dhan Katar Gaan Gai,” alongside the poignant “Ami Banglay Gaan Gai,” resonated deeply with the Bengali people. Younger artists cited him as an inspiration, carrying on a legacy of anti-establishment music rooted in the Indian People’s Theatre Association.

While celebrated for his anti-establishment stance, Mukhopadhyay later performed at Trinamool Congress events, a fact noted by some critics. His body was taken to Rabindra Sadan, a cultural hub, for public respects before being donated to the SSKM Hospital.

Read More