Assam: Flautist Dipak Sarma's Body to Arrive in Guwahati on Chartered Flight on Tuesday

The mortal remains of acclaimed Assamese flautist Dipak Sarma, who succumbed to a rare liver condition in Chennai on Monday morning, are set to be flown back to Guwahati via a dedicated chartered aircraft on Tuesday.

The flight is expected to leave Chennai at approximately 5 am and land at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport soon afterwards. Upon arrival, the casket will be transported straight to Sarma's home in Ambikagiri Nagar for initial family rites.

Once the private ceremonies conclude, the body will be placed at Seuj Sangha from 10 am to 2 pm, providing an opportunity for devotees, arts groups, and well-wishers to bid farewell to the maestro who enchanted generations with his melodies.

The cremation will follow at the Navagraha crematorium, concluding the final chapter for one of Assam's cherished cultural icons.

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Sarma breathed his last at around 6:15 AM in a Chennai hospital, where he had been undergoing advanced treatment for a prolonged illness. The veteran musician had been admitted to a hospital in Guwahati last month before being shifted to Chennai as his condition deteriorated.

Born in Panigaon village of Nalbari district, Dipak Sarma grew up surrounded by the rhythms and melodies of rural Assam — influences that shaped his unique musical identity. Over the years, he carved a niche for himself as one of Assam’s most revered flautists, earning widespread recognition for his magical command over the instrument and his ability to infuse deep emotion into every note.

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His compositions, often blending classical finesse with Assamese folk sensibilities, became synonymous with the state’s musical soul. Through his artistry, Sarma not only elevated the flute’s prominence in Assamese music but also inspired generations of musicians to pursue the instrument with renewed passion.

However, despite his immense contribution to Assamese culture, the latter part of Sarma’s life was marked by serious financial hardships. His deteriorating health added to his struggles, leading him to seek public assistance for medical treatment. In a heartfelt Facebook post dated January 18, 2023, the maestro revealed his need for an expensive liver repair operation, expressing hope that with timely support, he would once again be able to hold his flute and perform.