Sabita Chowdhury, widow of Salil Chowdhury, dies in Kolkata

KOLKATA: Sabita Chowdhury, renowned singer and widow of the legendary composer Salil Chowdhury, died on Thursday. She was 72.
According to agencies, she was suffering from lung cancer for the last five months. Her daughter Antara, a singer in her own right, said, “My mother was a woman of substance because she could manage a genius husband, my father Salil Chowdhury, and four children, as well as a demanding career.”
Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has condoled the death.“Saddened at the passing of popular singer Sabita Chowdhury (wife of Salil Chowdhury). My condolences to her family, friends and fans,” Mamata tweeted. Sabita Chowdhury was actively involved with the Salil Chowdhury Foundation to preserve his songs, and rendered many popular songs in Bengali and Hindi. She did playback for a number of Bengali and Hindi films. Among her hits were Mori Haay Go Haay and Surero Ei Jhar Jharna that her husband composed, and Oi Jhilmil Jhauer Boney, Jaare Jaa Jaa Mono Paakhi and Du Chokhey Asshaar Nodi Chhalachhal.
Composer Debajyoti Mishra, said to be one of the most talented disciples of Salil Chowdhury, told TOI from San Fransisco, “I am extremely saddened to hear about Sabita di’s demise, she was such a talented singer … has a left a void that can’t be filled up.” Debajyoti remembered his association with the Chowdhurys, especially the moments he spent with Salil, imbibing his philosophy, politics and musical traits of which his wife was so much a part of. Sabita Chowdhury is survived by two sons, Sanjoy and Bobby, and daughters Antara and Sanchari. The veteran singer was detected with cancer in January, sources said.
Singer Sujan Bose said, “Sabita Chowdhury was like a sea. I remember the time in the Eighties when I would visit Sabita di and Salil da in her apartment at Akash Deep near Minto Park. The atmosphere was so unique, music overflowing around the place. Sabita di was not only a dedicated singer herself, but a constant support to her husband and son, Sanjoy, who was so good at the keyboard, and encouraged him to play for our album, Bicycle.” Sabita Chowdhury’s son Sanjoy is a successful music composer and has scored music for more than a 100 feature films.
Bose said, “Sabita di was a leading yesteryear singer, and deserved a lot of acclaim. Salil da would make her sing the famous hits in Bengali before Lata Mangeskar sang them in Hindi. She and her daughter carried the legacy of the Salil Chowdhury gharana.” Sabita Chowdhury’s body was kept at Rabindra Sadan so that people could pay their last respects. She was undergoing treatment since January this year and wished to be brought home from a Mumbai hospital in May.