New Delhi: Bengal lost another of its gems today. The city mourns the death of singer Tapas 'Bapi' Das, who was part of the legendary Bengali Rock Band 'Moheener Ghoraguli'. He died at the SSKM Hospital in Kolkata. He was 68. Tapas is survived by his wife.
Tapas was battling cancer and was undergoing treatment at the SSKM Hospital in Kolkata. The Government of West Bengal had come forward to help 'Bapi' and had taken responsibility of providing financial assistance throughout the treatment.
Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee wrote on Twitter: "I mourn the death of Tapas Das ( Bapi da), who was a part of India's first rock band in Bangla, Moheener Ghoraguli. He was diagnosed with terminal illness and our government bore his full treatment costs at SSKM hospital for months as our humble support to the talented artiste's family. My condolences to the artiste's wife Sutapa and the bereaved family and his admirers."
Bengali Singer Rupam Islam also condolded his dealth. Sharing a note on Facebook, the singer wrote, "Only a lot of memories remain. The eternal journey of music will go on. If we say, it will stop, it would be a blunder. Bapi Da, you might not be there with us in person, but you will always be there throughtout, in music. Red salute. Long live the revolution."
Who Was Tapas 'Bapi' Das?
Tapas 'Bapi' Das was one of the founding memebrs of popular Bengali Rock Band 'Moheener Ghoraguli'- the band that created music way ahead of its time. 'Bapi' was the singer, song-writer and the guitarist of the band. The iconic rock group from Kolkata was established in 1975. The original band members included Gautam Chattopadhyay (vocals, lead guitar, voice, saxophone, folk instruments and lyrics), Pradip Chatterjee (bass guitar and flute), Tapas Das (lyrics, vocals and guitar), Ranjon Ghoshal, Biswanath Bishu Chattaopadhyay (drums), Abraham Majumdar (piano, violin) and Tapesh Bandopadhyay (vocals, guitar).
After 'Moheener Ghoraguli' got disbanded, Tapas formed another band 'Moheen Ekhon o Bondhura' that carries on the legacy of 'Moheener Ghoraguli'. Even after being diagnosed with cancer, his hunger for music and work never died and he used to discuss music with his fellow bandmates, go for concerts, perform with his full spirit, as if nothing had happened.
Speaking to ABP Live over the phone a few months back, Arunim Das Purkayastha, the violinist of Moheen Ekhon o Bondhura, had said: "Deep inside he is very active and till now whenever we interact, he is always talking about the band and not about his illness. Mentally, he doesn't consider his illness to be an illness."