Noted songstress Banasree Sengupta passes away

Noted Bengali singer Banasree Sengupta passed away at SSKM hospital on Sunday morning after illness at the age of 73.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condoled her death and tweeted: "Deeply saddened at the passing of legendary singer Banasree Sengupta. My condolences to her family and fans."

Banerjee went to Rabindra Sadan campus and placed a floral wreath on the mortal remains of Sengupta.

Indranil Sen, a singer himself and minister of state for Information and Cultural Affairs, who had gone to the hospital said: "The boys and girls of present generation could understand the style of Bengali songs by listening to Banasree di. She was very jovial and maintained cordial relationships with everyone. We grew up listening to her songs."

Sengupta who was suffering from lung infection was admitted to SSKM hospital a fortnight ago. She was put in the ICCU after her condition deteriorated. Sengupta was not keeping well following the death of her husband some months ago.

Sengupta will be remembered for some of the immortal songs like Aj bikeler dake tomar chithi pelam composed by Prabir Majumder and Chi Chi Chi eki kando korechi.

She had a melodious voice and received training in Hindustani classical music at an early age. She had her own style of singing and her rendition left a deep impact on the audience and it was because of this, she was very successful in musical soirees which were held in different parts in the city and districts.

Sengupta was very close to great music composer V Balsara and often visited his studio on Akrur Dutta Lane.

She could mix freely with junior singers and musicians and inspired them to do "sangeet sadhana" seriously.

She had sung songs composed by Sudhin Dasgupta and Hemanta Mukherjee.