Today is the 39th anniversary of death of poet and composer Bijoy Sarkar.
Born at Dumdi village in Narail on February 20, 1903, the folk bard penned and composed at about 1,800 songs in different folk genres such as Jari, Sari, Kirtan, Bhajan, Bhatiali, which endeared him to thousands.
He used to practice various folk music and acted in a jatra troupe. In 1925, Bijoy Sarkar took lessons on Kabi Gaan for two years from Manohar Sarkar and for one year from Rajendra Sarkar. He joined a troupe of Kabi Gaan in 1929 and established himself as a Kabial within short time.
He was posthumously awarded Ekushey Padak in 2013.
Bijoy Sarkar passed away at Keutia in Kolkata, India on December 4, 1985.