Jalpaiguri, 29 May (Siliguri Chronicle) – Padma Shri awardee folk artist and legendary ‘Sarinda’ player Mangala Kanti Roy passed away at the age of 104 on Thursday night, leaving the cultural fraternity of North Bengal in deep mourning.
A resident of Dhawalaguri village in Maynaguri block of Jalpaiguri district, Mangala Kanti Roy was considered one of the most respected figures in the folk culture of North Bengal. For more than 80 years, he captivated audiences with his exceptional skill in playing the traditional folk instrument ‘Sarinda’.
Over the decades, he performed at numerous folk music and cultural programmes across the country and earned recognition for his unique ability to imitate bird calls and natural sounds through the Sarinda.
In recognition of his outstanding contribution to Indian folk culture, the Government of India conferred the Padma Shri upon him in 2023. His name was announced ahead of Republic Day, and he later received the prestigious award from President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Family members said that Roy had been suffering from age-related health complications for the past month and was undergoing treatment at the super speciality department of Jalpaiguri Medical College and Hospital. Though his condition had improved and he had returned home, he passed away at his residence late on Thursday night.
His demise is being seen as an irreparable loss to the folk heritage and cultural identity of North Bengal.
