Kolkata, Feb 20 (PTI) Renowned Rabindra Sangeet exponent Maya Sen died at her South Kolkata residence this morning, her family said. Sen, 84, was afflicted with heart and thyroid problems. The end came at 8.10 a.m. Sen, whose husband predeceased her, leaves a large number of students many of whom achieved name and fame. Initiated and trained in Rabindra Sangeet by a famous Guru of the genre Sailajaranjan Majumder at Santiniketan, Sen also learnt classical music from V V Wajhalwar and practised the 'esraj' and the 'sitar' under Asesh Chandra Banerjee. Graduating in 1953 from Santiniketan's Sangit Bhavan, she went on to establish herself as a Rabindrasangeet singer in the traditional style. Her working life as a professor began at the Academy of Dance and Music at Tagore's ancestral home -- Jorasanko Thakurbari -- and later at the Rabindra Bharati University from where she retired in 1993 as Head of the Department. A trainer in Rabindra Sangeet for the erstwhile HMV recording studio, she continued teaching till the last days of her life despite stopping public performances owing to thyroid problems. Students describe her teaching methods as 'unique and inspiring' that made the complex compositions of the bard easy to grasp and render. Her body was kept at the Rabindra Sadan and was later taken to Jorasanko before cremation. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condoled Sen's death. PTI SBR MD
