Purabi Dutta Biography 
Purabi Dutta was a Bengali singer best associated with Nazrul Geeti, composed by Kazi Nazrul Islam. She was also a well-known playback singer associated with Bengali cinema. Purabi Dutta's albums in Nazrulgeeti became very popular. Songs of Kazi Nazrul released by Saregama music in 1974 and 1975, Valentine Special - Bengali Romantic Nazrulgeeti in 1980, Halud Gandar Phul in 1982, and three albums released in 2014 - Chharo Chharo Anchal, Jhum Jhum Jhumra Nachte and Shiuli Tolay Bhorbela made her one of the greatest exponents and an authentic singer of Nazrul Geeti.
She was born on 17 March 1942 in Kolkata, West Bengal into a family with strong music roots. She was daughter of Bibhuti Dutta, the famous classical vocal maestro, who gave initial music lessons to Purabi as well. She won the silver trophy in vocal music in All India Music Competition organised by Chetla Murari Smriti Sangeet Sammilini during her early days in music journey. She was associated with various programs of All India Radio, Kolkata since her early phase of her musical career especially in the 1950s and 1960s. She mostly recorded songs belonging to Nazrul Geeti.
She served as a music teacher at Bengal Music College for many years and was active in her musical concerts too. While she served as a music teacher at Bengal Music College, many of her contemporary singers too were teaching music there. With early 2000s she slowly reduced her work, and she returned to stage in 2004 when she appeared in Bangla Sangeet Mela after a break of 1.5 years. She passed away on 1 December 2013 in her newly shifted residence at Sonarpur.
Published: February 18, 2019
Updated: February 18, 2019
