Renowned Bengali Singer-Lyricist ‘Pratul Mukhopadhyay’ Voice Behind ‘Ami Banglay Gaan Gai’ Passes Away

Renowned Bengali singer plus songwriter Pratul Mukhopadhyay best known for his iconic composition “Ami Banglay Gaan Gai” passed away on February 15th 2025 aged 82. He had been receiving treatment for pancreatic dysfunction and age induced ailments at the SSKM Hospital in Kolkata where he expired after a prolonged illness.

His video in hospital singing the same song is circulating in the media and making the fans feel more sad.

"আমি বাংলায় গান গাই
আমি বাংলার গান গাই
আমি আমার আমিকে চিরদিন এই বাংলায় খুঁজে পাই.."

Renowned & Revered Singer – Pratul Mukhopadhyay has left us for the heavenly abode.

Hon’ble CM of WB, Ms. @MamataOfficial visited him regularly, when he was admitted in SSKM hospital.

I, pay… pic.twitter.com/PnHE82X1m0

— 𝐑𝐢𝐣𝐮 𝐃𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐚 (@DrRijuDutta_TMC) February 15, 2025

Mukhopadhyay was born on June 25th 1942 at Barisal undivided Bengal (now in Bangladesh). His family relocated to Chinsurah in Hooghly district, West Bengal during the partition. He had shown an inclination toward music from an early age. He composed music to a poem by Mangalacharan Chattopadhyay at the young age of 12.

Mukhopadhyay in addition to “Ami Banglay Gaan Gai” sang “Dinga Vasao Sagore” which found a place in the minds and hearts of the Bengali populace. He often starred away from instrumental accompaniment giving his songs the power of lyrics against social problems.

During Mukhopadhyay’s long swan song of a career, he was an untiring experimenter though always staying close to tradition, he often went well beyond the established norms of music. Singing was not the only contribution that Mukhopadhyay made to Bengali music, he was simply a prolific songwriter and composer with works compiled in publications such as “Pratul Mukhopadhyayer Nirbachito Gaan”.

Other than being a musician, Mukhopadhyay was a bold social activist. His songs became the anthems of many social and political movements bearing witness to his commitment to social change. His demise on the anniversary of the deaths of another two legendary Bengali musicians- one is Sandhya Mukhopadhyay and Bappi Lahiri-was indeed a poignant moment for the Bengali music fraternity.

Pratul Mukhopadhyay’s legacy as a musician and social commentator continues to inspire and exhibits the spirit and resilience of Bengali culture.