Sagar Sen

Sagar Sen was a Bengali singer renowned for his exemplary renditions of Rabindra Sangeet. His unique and emotional singing style, with his mellifluous baritone voice rendered him the title of a legendary Rabindra Sangeet artist and made him a beloved name among his listeners. He was born on 15th May 1932 in Faridpur, Bengal Presidency, British India. His first All India Radio (AIR) appearance was in the year 1958. From there on, he became a frequent Rabindra Sangeet performing artist at Akashvani, Kolkata. In later years, he founded a Tagorean music institution named Rabi Rashmi and also took part in recordings of Tagore’s Operas like Shap Mochan (1966) and Valmiki Pratibha (1967).

The recording of “Ami Jene Shine Bish Korechhi Paan” (1968) marked the breakthrough in his musical career as he gained recognition as a remarkable and established Rabindra Sangeet artist through this song. His first extended play was released in 1974, comprising of 14 Tagore songs. With a career spanning over two and a half decades, he staged many theatricals and live performances like Shraban Sandhya, Rituranga, Gaaner Jharnatalay, Bishwajana Mohichhey, etc. The students from his institution also took part in these. Sen, was thus successful in bringing Tagore’s music to the masses.

Not only this, but he also recorded several Bengali Modern songs and left behind a rich musical legacy of his own. He is famous for his playback singing in movies like Je Jekhane Dnariye (1974), Mantramugdha (1977), and Debika (1987) among others. Being a humanitarian, he also worked tirelessly for the betterment of human society. He has several charitable performances credited to his name. He was given the BFJA award for best playback singing in 1979. It was for the song “Aaj Jyotsnaratey Shobai Gechhey Boney” from the movie Parichay. The legend bid adieu to the world on 4th January 1983 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India. He was 50 years old at the time.