Legendary sitar maestro Pandit Manilal Nag passed away at a private hospital in Kolkata on Monday night due to age-related ailments.
Family sources confirmed that the eminent musician was 87 years old at the time of his passing.
Pandit Nag was a celebrated exponent of the historic Bishnupur gharana, the only classical music tradition originating from West Bengal.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari expressed deep grief, describing his death as the end of a glorious era in Indian classical music.
Adhikari stated that Pandit Nag carried the Dhrupad-steeped strains of Bengal’s rich heritage to prestigious global stages.
He added that the maestro’s mastery of the sitar and dedication to his disciples turned him into an enduring institution.
The Information and Cultural Affairs Department arranged for his mortal remains to rest at the State Sangeet Academy.
This arrangement allows grieving disciples, fellow artists, and members of the public to pay their final respects to the icon.
Born on August 16, 1939, in Bankura district, Pandit Nag learned music under the guidance of his distinguished father.
He dedicated his entire life to preserving and expanding the unique musical nuance of the Bishnupur gharana.
The Indian government conferred the prestigious Padma Shri upon him in 2020 for his extraordinary artistic achievements.
He also received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2001 for his lifelong contributions to traditional Indian classical music.
This achievement made him the very first musician from the Bishnupur gharana to earn that nation-wide honor.
The West Bengal government previously honored his lifelong artistic dedication with the prestigious Alauddin Purashkar in 2012.
The state government further presented him with its highest civilian award, the Banga Bibhushan, in 2015.
Music lovers and cultural institutions across the country continue to mourn the irreplaceable loss of the legendary master.
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