Guwahati, 26th July: Umakanta Bairagi, the legendary Tokari Geet artist, died on Wednesday morning at the age of 80 at his home in Hengrabari, Guwahati. The folk artist had been battling a long illness and died today at 7.10 a.m.
Umakanta Bairagi was a distinguished figure in Assam’s cultural landscape and had garnered immense recognition for his exceptional contributions to Tokari Geet. He was honored with the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, a testimony to his exceptional talent and dedication to his craft.
Born in 1942 in Dibrugarh, Umakanta’s musical journey began early in life, and over the years, he garnered numerous accolades. Among his many accomplishments, he received the esteemed Pratima Pandey Award and the revered Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Sanghati Award, which reflected his profound impact on Assamese music.
In 1971, Dibrugarh Radio Station bestowed upon him the title of ‘Bairagi,’ recognizing his immense contribution to folk music, particularly in the Tokari Geet genre.
Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister of Assam, conveyed his sincere condolences on the death of this great folk musician. He lamented the death of Umakanta Bairagi on Twitter, stating that his death is an irreparable loss to the state’s cultural and social sectors.
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