Renowned music director, composer and lyricist Indreswar Sarmah passed away at his residence in Jorhat on Tuesday due to old age ailments. He was 90.

Born in 1930 in Lohpohia area in Jorhat district he was regarded as one of the most reputed musicians of the state.

He was awarded  Badya Visharad from Bhatkhande Sangeet Vidyapith, Lucknow and was the first person from Assam to achieve it.

Sarmah was the principal of Jorhat Sangeet Vidyalaya since 1972 which is considered as the first music school in Assam.

He was also the music teacher at Post Graduate Training College, Jorhat.

He also formed an orchestra and contributed immensely. Several veteran musicians of the state were trained under Sarmah.

Sarmah also composed music for two of Dr. Bhabendranath Saikia’s films namely “Sandhyarag” and “Itihaas”.

He was popularly called as Sangeet Pran”, the title was bestowed upon him in 1997 by the Government Pensioners Association, Jorhat unit.

In the year 2009, the Assam Government bestowed Shilpi Bota on him.

He was also a celebrated radio artist composed the notation of Sira Senehi Mor Bhaxa Jononi, the anthem of Asam Sahitya Sabha, which was sung in every session of Asom Sahitya Sabha.

He was cremated with full  state honour.

Smita Bhattacharyya is Northeast Now Correspondent in Jorhat. She can be reached at: [email protected]