Veteran Indian Rabindra Sangeet exponent Vibha Sengupta has died at the age of 94. She passed away on Tuesday morning while undergoing treatment in hospital, following a period of illness and age-related health complications.
The news of her death was confirmed by fellow singer Shrabani Sen. According to Sen, Sengupta had generally remained physically fit despite her advanced age, although she had occasionally required blood transfusions, possibly because of low haemoglobin levels. She had been receiving medical treatment for several days before her death.
Sengupta’s passing came only days after she was honoured at her home by Lokbharati, an organisation associated with cultural activities. The occasion became one of the final public tributes paid to the veteran singer.
Singer Alok Raychaudhuri recalled that he had visited Sengupta’s home on 29 September on behalf of Lokbharati to present the honour. He said she appeared lively and spontaneous that day, and the gathering turned into a warm exchange of stories and memories. The news of her death soon afterwards therefore came as a particular shock to those who had met her so recently.
Sengupta spent much of her life devoted to Rabindra Sangeet, the musical tradition built around the songs of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. Unlike many performers who remained regularly in the public eye, she largely led a quiet and private life. Her wider recognition grew particularly during the final 10 to 12 years of her life.
Raychaudhuri said that although Sengupta received greater public attention during that period, she herself was never particularly concerned with publicity or recognition. Her focus remained firmly on music and teaching. She devoted considerable care to training her students and played a role in nurturing the next generation of Rabindra Sangeet practitioners.
She also maintained a deep connection with her musical mentor, Debabrata Biswas, and observed his birth anniversary with great dedication. Her commitment to preserving and teaching the musical tradition was an important part of her identity as an artist.
Born in Tripura, Sengupta moved permanently to Kolkata in 1959. Her early training in music began under Maya Sen. In the later part of her career, she was also associated with a music education centre, where she taught students.
Across a long musical career, Sengupta established a distinctive place through her practice and teaching of Rabindra Sangeet. Her contribution was not defined solely by performances; her work as a teacher helped carry the tradition forward to younger generations.
Her death marks the loss of an artist who chose dedication to music over the pursuit of fame. For those who knew her, her disciplined approach to Rabindra Sangeet, commitment to teaching and deep respect for her musical heritage will remain central to her legacy. Her passing has cast a pall of grief over the wider musical community.
