Pratima Barua Pandey Biography 
Pratima Barua Pandey was a popular folk singer from Assam who lived during the period, 3 October 1934 – 27 December 2002. She belonged to the royal family of Gauripur in Western Assam's Dhubri district. Among folk songs, she popularized Goalpariya Lokgeet among the music lovers, and she is mostly associated with this version. She raised the profile of this hitherto unknown genre of music nationally in India, and she is credited to the most renowned artist who performs this folk tradition, where traditional lyrics are used. For her pioneering efforts in popularising Goalpariya lokageet, government of India honoured her with Padma Shri and Sangeet Natak Akademi award. We Are in the Same Boat, Brother is among her most popular folk songs.
Pratima Barua Pandey was born in Kolkata, West Bengal on 3rd October 1934 as the daughter of Prakritesh Chandra Barua. She schooled from Gokhale Memorial School, Kolkata. She moved to Gauripur, Assam to continue with her school studies in a school owned by her royal family. Thus her younger days were spent in Kolkata and Gauripur where she completed her school education. She learned Rabindrasangeet at school and never took formal learning in this form of music later. Her music talents were nourished and encouraged by her father. She is the niece of filmmaker Pramathesh Barua of early talkies.
A major turning point happened in Pratima’s life when the legendary musician Dr. Bhupen Hazarika visited her hometown Gauripur in 1955 and she got an opportunity to perform before him. She was so shy and nervous to perform before Hazarika, yet she presented lokageet in Goalpariya dialect which impressed him. He then predicted that she would have a shining career ahead, and it turned true. Dui Diner Bhalobasha, Ek Bar Hori Bolo Rasona, Aaji Danrao Kala, O Pare Kamrangar Gachh, Bail Machhe Kheil Kare, Afnla Kadamer Tale, Oh Mor Mahut Bandhure, Dhick Dhick and Dung Nori Dung are some of her popular songs.
Published: February 18, 2019
Updated: February 18, 2019
