Assam – Minoti Khaund, one of Assam’s most respected Hindustani classical violinists, passed away on Sunday evening at a private hospital in Guwahati. She was 85.
Family members said Khaund had been under treatment for nearly 40 days and had undergone multiple surgeries due to long-standing health complications, including high blood pressure and heart ailments. Her cremation will be held at Navagraha Crematorium on Monday.
Born in 1940, Khaund’s musical journey began at the age of 10 when her grandfather gifted her a violin after recognising her talent. She received her early training under Indreswar Sarma at the Darpanath Sarma Music School in Jorhat.
Her career took a decisive turn in 1972 when she performed at the All Assam Music Conference. The performance caught the attention of legendary violinist Pandit V.G. Jog, who later became her mentor. She also trained under sarod maestro Pandit Buddhadev Dasgupta and imbibed the “Gayaki Ang” style from vocalist Pandit A.T. Kanan, which gave her violin renditions a distinctive vocal quality.
Khaund went on to perform at prestigious platforms across India and abroad, including in Kolkata, New Delhi, Mumbai, and London. She frequently shared the stage with her daughter, Sunita Khaund, helping bring Assamese classical music to wider audiences.
Over her five-decade-long career, she received several honours, including a Gold Medal in Master of Music (Sangeet Nipune) from Prayag Sangeet Samiti, recognition from the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), the Sangeet Jyoti and Silpi awards, and an Artist Pension from the Assam Government. Her album Invocation of Ma, dedicated to Goddess Durga and performed with her daughter, was widely appreciated.
Beyond performance, Khaund was a dedicated teacher and mentor. She guided numerous students, served as visiting faculty at a music college in Guwahati, and worked as an examiner for state-level music courses. She also wrote extensively on classical music, underlining its cultural significance.
Her passing marks the end of an era in Assam’s classical music scene. Generations of musicians and listeners continue to be influenced by her artistry and commitment to nurturing talent.
