The renowned flautist-folk exponent of Assam Prabhat Sharma passed away at his residence in Guwahati in the early hours of March 2.

Sharma was 86-year-old at the time of his death and he leaves behind a rich legacy of music behind him.

Family sources informed that Sharma dies peacefully in his sleep.

His daughter Tarali Sharma is a national award-winning musician-singer who has composed music for several Assamese films.

Prabhat Sharma was instrumental in forming the folk music troupe Debogandhar that primarily used various folk instruments that are almost obsolete today.

Sharma was born in 1935 in the Sundaridiya Satra of Barpeta and he grew up in an environment permeated by traditional music.

He learnt Borgeet in the Satra under Gangadhar Deva Mishra and Satya Krishna Deva Mishra and later received training in the music of the Satras under Narahari Burha Bhakat.

His teacher in folk music was Jogesh Bharali, and he learnt the classical flute as a student of Gour Goswami.

From the early 1960s up to the late 1990s, he was a musician first on the staff of the Directorate of the Information, Assam, and later of All India Radio, Guwahati.

He performed extensively in Assam during this period and also composed songs for other leading singers.

Prabhat Sarma also directed the music for several Assamese films including Sarathi by Bhabendra Nath Saikia and Santan by Amarendra Pathak.

One of his unique achievements was the creation of a small museum of musical instruments of Assam, and of a musical ensemble comprising those instruments named the Panchajanya Sankhadhvani.

Prabhat Sarma was been honoured for his work by important institutions of the state like the Assam Sahitya Sabha, Jorhat, which felicitated him in 2000.

Prabhat Sarma received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for his contribution to the traditional and folk music of Assam.

His death has left an irreparable void in the music industry of the state.

Condoling the death, Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal in a tweet in Assamese said, "Deeply saddened by the sudden demise of noted musician Prabhat Sharma. His contribution to the Assamese music industry will be cherished forever."

"I offer my deepest condolences to the family members of the bereaved family and will pray for the eternal peace of the departed soul," the CM added.

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— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) March 2, 2021