Veteran jatra artiste Jyotirmoy Sarker passes away

Veteran jatra artiste and cultural organiser Jyotirmoy Sarker of remote Khaliajury upazila in Netrakona passed away recently.

He had been paralysed for 13 years and died at his Digalhati residence of Khaliajury sadar early Saturday at the age of 71.

Sarker was a well known jatra artiste for over 50 years, said the late Sarker's son Jaganmoy Sarker.

"He also performed baul and kabi gaan in Mymensingh region," said Ali Ahmed Talukder, a co-artiste of Jyotirmoy from Khaliajury.

"Also a well-known kirtan artiste, Jyotirmoy was a pioneer in jatra. He was able to retain the essence of jatra when it was at its ebb," said Ahmed.

A torchbearer of traditional Bengali culture, Jyotirmoy was also a famous cultural organiser in Netrakona's haor areas, said Ahmed.

 Jyotirmoy acted in more than 100 jatra palas in Netrakona and beyond, said sources.

Among his well known jatra plays are -'Meghe Dhaka Tara', 'Ekti Poisa', 'Kalankini Badhu', 'Protima Bisarjon', 'Goli Theke Rajpath', 'Ei Prithibi Takar Golam', 'Nichu Tolar Manush', 'Ekti Golaper Mrittu', 'Jhora Dighir Chowdhury Poribar' and more.

He was the director of Adi Ranjan Opera, a famous jatra troupe in Gouripur upazila of Mymensingh for a long time, said  Barman.