One of Bangladesh’s brightest stars in the world of classical music, Ekushey Padak-winning Pandit Amresh Roy Chowdhury, is no more. The revered maestro passed away on Tuesday (12 August) at 11:30am at his residence in Khan Samaar Chak, Rajshahi city, due to age-related complications. He was nearly 98 years old.
Pandit Roy Chowdhury had played a vital role for decades in performing and teaching music on Bangladesh Betar and national television. His Mohini Niketan Sangeet Ashram in Rajshahi served as a spiritual and artistic haven for young musicians. In recent years, after his ancestral home was demolished for road expansion, he had been living in a flat in Khan Samaar Chak.
A Life Devoted to Music
Born and raised in Faridpur, Amresh Roy’s musical journey began in childhood. Encouraged by his mother, Rajlaxmi Roy, he started learning classical music while in class five under the guidance of the eminent Subir Lal Chakraborty, one of the subcontinent’s leading classical musicians and composers. After the untimely death of his first mentor, he trained for a short while under Sirajganj-based musician Harihar Shukla.
The most formative chapter of his training came under Sangeetacharya Tarapada Chakraborty of Kotalipara, Faridpur. For 14 years, Roy Chowdhury immersed himself in the rigorous practice of dhrupad, khayal, and thumri, aspiring to match the mastery of his guru. Later, he broadened his repertoire by learning modern, Atul Prasadi, raag pradhan, Nazrul, and Shyama Sangeet under the noted Mymensingh musician and composer Nikhil Chandra Sen.
Recognition and Honours
In 1961, the “Music Education Board of Jhankar” in the subcontinent awarded him the title of Sangeet Tirtha in recognition of his mastery in classical music. Throughout his life, he mingled and collaborated with some of the most celebrated musicians of South Asia. A particularly cherished memory was in 1984, when he met and performed alongside the legendary dhrupad and dhammar exponents, the Dagur Brothers, as well as renowned flautist VG Karnad—earning heartfelt praise from them. He also received guidance and affection from greats such as Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Anath Nath Basu, and Chinmoy Lahiri.
A Life of Dedication, Not Possession
Completely detached from worldly pursuits, Roy Chowdhury spent his life in devotion to music. Even after his ancestral land in Faridpur was forcibly taken over, there was no one to fight for him. He was the father of two sons—his elder son, Abhijit Roy Chowdhury, is a successful businessman, and his younger son, Amit Roy Chowdhury, teaches at RUET.
His Final Wish
In an exclusive interview with Prothom Alo before his passing, he reflected: “Today’s youth have progressed far more than before; classical music has spread more widely. But discussions and conversations around it are still somewhat neglected.” His last wish was for his students to keep him alive through his music and teachings. “When I’m gone, I want them to keep me alive. I want to leave my melody with them,” he had said.
On Tuesday evening at 5pm, his cremation was held at Panchabati Crematorium in Rajshahi.
