Sandhya Mukherjee, also known as Sandhya Mukhopadhay, was a legendary singer of modern Bengali songs.
She also had huge appearances in other musical arena. This legendary singer was born on October 4, 1931.
Sandhya sang for the first time at the age of 12 in Kolkata Akashvani’s ‘Galpadadur Asar’. One year later, her first record was released. Since then she did not look back and got the opportunity to sing in Bengali cinema within years.
She was born with musical talent as her family was closely attached with music.
She actually learned basic music from her father Narendranath Mukherjee. Her mother Hemprabha Devi also loved music.
She also worked with leading music directors like Sachin Dev Burman, Naushad and Salil Chaudhury.
Sandhya had a good relation with Lata Mangeshkar, one of India’s most venerated singers. Lata Mangeshkar often visited her at the Evergreen Hotel.
This legendary singer also sang for Bangabanhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
On 10 January 1972, Bangabandhu returned to Bangladesh from imprisonment in Pakistan . To commemorate this historic return, Sandhya sang ‘Bangabandhu Firey Eley’ (Bangabandhu Returned). The song was first aired on January 10, 1972 in Akash Bani.
Specialising in Bengali music, she was the recipient of the Banga Bibhushan, the highest civilian honour of West Bengal in 2011.
She also won the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer in 1971 for her songs ‘Amader Chhuti Chhuti’ and ‘Ore Sakal Sona Malin’.
Besides, she received BFJA award twice in 1965 and 1972. In 1999, she was conferred with the Bharat Nirman Lifetime Achievement Award.
The award-winning singer made news recently after she turned down the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in India.
She refused to accept the award, saying that “Does anyone give Padma Shri like this? They do not know who I am? Should I take Padma Shri at the end of ninety years?”.
She also said “I do not need Padma Shri. My audiences are everything to me”.
Source: United News of Bangladesh