Mangala Kanti Roy, Padma Shri Sarinda maestro from Bengal, dies at 104
Synopsis
At 104, Mangala Kanti Roy was not just a musician — he was the last major custodian of Sarinda, a nearly 500-year-old bowed instrument on the verge of extinction. His Padma Shri at over 100 years of age was a rare national acknowledgment of a folk art that mainstream India had largely forgotten. West Bengal's artists' fraternity says his death closes the golden era of the state's folk music.
Key Takeaways
Mangala Kanti Roy , Padma Shri -winning Sarinda player from Jalpaiguri, West Bengal , died on 29 May at his ancestral home in Dhaulagiri village .
He was 104 years old at the time of his death, making him a centenarian at the time he received the Padma Shri in 2023 .
Roy is credited with reviving and popularising the Sarinda , a nearly 500-year-old folk instrument native to North Bengal.
He was also a recipient of the Banga Ratna award, conferred by the West Bengal government in 2017 .
He is survived by his wife, three sons , and grandchildren.
Mangala Kanti Roy, the Padma Shri-decorated Sarinda maestro from Jalpaiguri district in West Bengal, passed away at his ancestral home in Dhaulagiri village in the early hours of Friday, 29 May. He was 104 years old. His death has cast a deep shadow of mourning over West Bengal's artists' fraternity.
Final Days and Cause of Death
Roy had been battling age-related ailments and a persistent throat condition for an extended period. He was treated first at the Maynaguri Rural Hospital and subsequently at Jalpaiguri Medical College and Hospital, before returning home a few days prior to his passing.
His son Umakanta Roy confirmed the death to reporters, noting that acute throat problems had caused the veteran artist to drastically reduce his food intake in his final days. 'Finally, he died early this morning,' Umakanta said.
A Legacy Rooted in North Bengal's Folk Tradition
Mangala Kanti Roy is widely credited with rescuing the near-extinct art of Sarinda music from obscurity and carrying it to national — and to a degree, international — audiences. The Sarinda is an ancient bowed string instrument with a history of nearly 500 years, deeply embedded in the folk traditions of North Bengal.
Roy's decades of dedication to the instrument transformed him from a village folk artist into a nationally recognised custodian of an endangered musical heritage. Artists across West Bengal believe his passing marks the close of a defining chapter in the state's folk music history.
Honours and Recognition
Roy's contributions were formally acknowledged at the highest levels. In 2017, the West Bengal government conferred on him the Banga Ratna award. Then, on the eve of India's 74th Republic Day in 2023, the Union government awarded him the Padma Shri — one of India's most prestigious civilian honours.
Notably, Roy was already a centenarian when he received the Padma Shri, making his recognition all the more remarkable as a testament to a lifetime of artistic commitment.
Family and Mourning
Roy is survived by his wife, three sons, and several grandchildren. His ancestral home falls under Aamguri panchayat in the Maynaguri block of Jalpaiguri district. The news of his passing spread swiftly through cultural circles, with tributes pouring in from artists and institutions across the state.
With Roy's passing, West Bengal loses one of its last living links to a centuries-old folk instrument — and the broader world of Indian classical and folk music loses a singular voice that many feared could never be replaced.
Point of View
Raising a legitimate question: why does the Indian state so often recognise folk artists only at the twilight of their lives, when institutional support in their prime could have seeded an entire generation of successors? With Roy gone, the question of who carries the Sarinda forward remains unanswered.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Mangala Kanti Roy?
Mangala Kanti Roy was a celebrated Sarinda player from Jalpaiguri district in West Bengal, widely credited with reviving the nearly 500-year-old folk instrument and bringing it to national recognition. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2023 and the Banga Ratna in 2017.
How old was Mangala Kanti Roy when he died?
Mangala Kanti Roy was 104 years old at the time of his death on 29 May at his ancestral home in Dhaulagiri village, Jalpaiguri district.
What is the Sarinda instrument?
The Sarinda is a bowed string instrument with a history of nearly 500 years, traditionally practised by folk artists in North Bengal. It had been on the verge of extinction before Roy's lifelong efforts brought it renewed national attention.
What awards did Mangala Kanti Roy receive?
Roy received the Banga Ratna from the West Bengal government in 2017 and the Padma Shri — one of India's highest civilian honours — from the Union government in 2023, on the eve of India's 74th Republic Day.
Who survives Mangala Kanti Roy?
He is survived by his wife, three sons, and several grandchildren. His family confirmed that he had been suffering from age-related ailments and throat problems for some time before his passing.
