Renowned flute artist Prabhat Sarma of Borgeet in Assam has passed away. The veteran folk artist was 85. Sarma’s death has been seen as a huge loss to the Assamese music organization. His contribution to the folk music of Assam is tremendous and admired by the people. Sarma, who is a recipient of the Sangeet Natak Academy Award, was born in 1935 in the Sundaridiya Satra of Barpeta.

Prabhat Sarma grew up adopting an environment saturated by traditional music in Assam. He acquired training in folk music under Shri Jogesh Bharali and received the classical flute as a pupil of Shri Gour Goswami. 

The late artist was initially a staff musician at the Directorate of the Information, Assam, and later a part of the All India Radio, Guwahati. He is famous for broadly performing in Assam from the early 1960s up to the late 1990s era. He also worked with other leading singers in music compositions.

Himanta Biswa Sarma has paid tribute to the late flute artist.”Sangeet Natak Academy Award winner Sharmadev’s demise has created a vacuum in the cultural world of the state. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and wish them all the best in their future endeavors,” tweeted the Assam health minister