It was 3rd January, 2011 – an era ended with the death of Shrimoti Suchitra Mitra.
It is 3rd January, 2023 – an era ends with the demise of Shrimoti Sumitra Sen.
It is twelve years that set apart two deaths of two doyens of Rabindrasangeet. 3rd January plays a crucial role in it. Historically.
Suchitra and Sumitra belong to two polarly opposite genres. The former personalizes songs. The latter romanticizes them. Suchitra is comfortable in lower and middle octaves. Sumitra is on song in middle and higher octaves. Suchitra has so a demonstrative voice that harps on pronunciation. Sumitra has a fluent light voice that prioritises melody. They both contribute in their own unique ways to the popularity of Rabindrasangeet.
Suchitra and Sumitra have made a distinctive mark in songs other than Rabindrasangeet. Suchitra sings songs of Salil Chowdhury; a legacy she carries from her IPTA days. Sumitra immortalizes a Mohaloya number: Ma go tabo bine songeeto premo lolito, a very difficult song that only she can sing with a commanding ease.
When the greats die, it is a standard expression that makes a round in media circles that “It is an irreparable loss”. Actually it is the sentiment, passion and emotion that relegate to just an enduring memory with the passing away of celebreties. Sumitra Sen has battled with age-related ailments for quite a long time. She succumbs to the ultimate after a prolonged fight.
Let Suchitra and Sumitra sing “Aar naire bela namlo chhaya dharoneete….”
Yes, the day has gone. The shadow descends on the earth broadly. Literally.