Dhrupad exponent Asgari Bai dead

Tikamgarh, MP, Aug 9 (UNI) Dhrupad exponent Asgari Bai, once a court singer for the erstwhile royal family of Tikamgarh, passed away this morning at her local residence following prolonged illness.

She was 88.

The artiste, who was bestowed with a range of accolades including the Padmashree, would be buried with full state honours. Her marriage with Agra-resident Chimanlal Gupta lasted 25 years and he predeceased her. Asgari is survived by four sons and three daughters.

Besides the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the artiste was also decorated with the prestigious 'Tansen Samman' by the state government in 1985 and 'Shikhar Samman' in 1986.

Anguished over squabbles between her children on government grants, Asgari last August expressed a desire to return to the government the honours bestowed on her in order to maintain the dignity of the awards.

UNI Team-AC SP PA DS1545