Folk maestro Amar Pal felicitated on 96th b'day

Born in 1922 in Myamansingh, now in Bangladesh, Pal received his initial training from Baba Alauddin Khan. He cut 1,500 records which included both basic songs and film playbacks. One cannot forget his inimitable rendition in "Kotoi Ranga Dekhi Duniyae" in Hirak Rajar Deshe directed by Satyajit Ray. At 96, Pal still gives training to his students and also performed in functions till the age of 90.

A 54-minute documentary "Roshik Je Jan" made on the life and works of Pal directed by Tapashree Gupta and Biplab Das was presented to him. A 300-page biography Majhi Baiya Jao Re penned by Asishtaru Mukhopadhyay was also presented to him along with a silver plaque.

After coming to power in 2011, Mamata Banerjee gave special importance to save folk musicians and introduced stipends for them.

Pallab Mitra, secretary of Calcutta Cultural Forum, said the organisation has decided to felicitate artistes, educationists and other important figures who have crossed 90 years. The Centre had felicitated Mrinal Sen and Jolly Mohan Kaul recently.