Singer Sabita, wife of composer Salil Chowdhury, passes away

Veteran singer Sabita Chowdhury passed away today at her residence in Kolkata. She was the widow of the legendary music composer Salil Chowdhury. 

Sabita was battling lung cancer and thyroid problems since the start of the year after she was diagnosed with both the diseases in January. She is survived by two daughters and two sons. She was 72. 

Her death was mourned by chief minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee. She wrote on her Twitter page, “Saddened at the passing of popular singer Sabita Chowdhury (wife of Salil Chowdhury). My condolences to her family, friends and fans.” 

Sabita sang a number of songs in Hindi and Bengali cinema. Some of her famous numbers were, ‘Ene De Enede Jhumka,’ ‘Oi Jhilmil Jhauer Boney,’ ‘Jhilmil Jhilmil Opaarero Monjil,’ ‘Du Chokhey Aashaar Nodi Chhalachhal,’ etc. 

She recorded the most number of songs for husband Salil and they became a famous singer-composer duo. Later on, she went onto become his second wife. Salil passed away in 1995 at the age of 71. 

She played a large role in preserving his songs by being actively involved in the Salil Chowdhury Foundation.