Eminent Nazrul Sangeet exponent and artiste Sudhin Das passed away at the Apollo Hospital in Dhaka about 8:30pm on June 27 (Tuesday), according to family sources. The Ekushey Padak-winning singer-composer was 87.

Sudhin Das had been suffering from old-age complications for a long time. Doctors put him on life support when he was brought to the hospital, after his condition deteriorated on Tuesday morning. 

Sudhin Das, a revered Guru, dedicated his entire life to promote and practise Nazrul Sangeet. He took the responsibility of formulating Nazrul Sangeet swaralipi, and his devoted efforts helped bring back the authenticated notations in the arena of Nazrul Sangeet. His contributions will never die and the present and upcoming generations will owe him for the immense job he accomplished single-handedly.   

Eminent Nazrul researcher Professor Emeritus Rafiqul Islam along with renowned Nazrul Sangeet Artistes -- Shaheen Samad, Dalia Nausheen and Sadya Afreen Mallick -- shared fond memories with the legendary singer. Excerpts:

“Sudhin Das is the son of a reputed musical family of Comilla. Initially he practised Classical Music and rendered Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrul Sangeet and adhunik song. When he was enlisted in Dhaka Betar (Radio) during Pakistan era, he rendered these musical genres. Alongside, he composed tunes for adhunik songs. An undisciplined situation was noticed regarding Nazrul Sangeet in Kolkata due to Nazrul's illness and the ramification of 1947 partition. Where earlier an absence of musical discipline was noticed in Nazrul songs, today it is harmony which underpins the presentation of his compositions. He started the painstaking job of creating swaralipi following the gramophone records those were published when Nazrul was well. At first, he did the job at Nazrul Academy. After Nazrul Institute was established, he completed most of the swaralipi of 50 volumes following original gramophone records. He was the head of certification council. Consequently, to a large extent, a disciplined situation has come back regarding Nazrul Sangeet. Sudhin Das whole-heartedly dedicated his life till the end. Singers of West Bengal, India, now follow the swaralipi, published by Nazrul Institute. I watched Nazrul's Islamic songs aired on different channel this Ramadan. Everyone now follows original gramophone record swaralipi. All the credits go to Sudhin Das for this,” said Professor Rafiqul Islam.             

“I am deeply shocked at the demise of my Guru Sudhin Das. It is a great loss for Nazrul Sangeet and for us all, the entire Nazrul Sangeet artistes,” said eminent Nazrul singer Shaheen Samad. “Pioneering Gurus like Sudhin Das, Sohrab Hossain, Sheikh Lutfar Rahman, Anjali Roy have left us one after another. The blessings that I got from him are beyond words to express. I am feeling profound pain seeing the shocking state of Nilima Das, Sudhin Das' wife. May Almightily give his bereaved family members enough strength to bear the loss,” she added.      

“Through the demise of my music Guru Sudhin Das, a glorious chapter has come to an end. My mother would learn music under him. I was baptized in music under his tutelage. Sudin Da and Boudi (his wife Nilima Das) would come together to teach me classical music, Nazrul Sangeet, Rabindra Sangeet and adhunik songs,” recalled renowned Nazrul Sangeet artiste Dalia Nausheen.  

“Sudhin Das, my mentor, has almost single-handedly worked painstakingly to authenticate the original notation of Nazrul Sangeet, the 'swaralipi'. For his untiring commitment, he has achieved a revered status both at home and abroad. He has been awarded the Ekushey Padak, Nazrul Gold Medal, Nasiruddin Gold Medal, Zebunnessa-Mahbubullah Trust Gold Medal and the Altaf Mahmood Gold Medal,” said renowned Nazrul Sangeet exponent and singer Sadya Afeeen Mallick.  

Sudhin Das' body will be taken to his residence in the morning of June 29, and Nazrul enthusiasts will pay homage to the singer at 10am at Nazrul Institute, informed Golam Kuddus, president of Sammilito Sangskritik Jote. Later, people from all walks of life will pay their last tributes to him at Central Shaheed Minar from 11am to 12:30pm. His cremation will take place at Postogola crematorium.