‘Moyna Cholat Cholat’ singer Swagato Dey no more

Noted Bengali folk singer Swagato Dey, best known for beloved folk songs such as "Moyna Cholat Cholat" and "Sona Bondhu Re", has died following a cerebral stroke, leaving behind a rich musical legacy that resonated with audiences across both Bengals.

According to Hindustan Times, family sources said the singer suffered a cerebral stroke on Monday. Despite receiving medical treatment, he could not recover and passed away on Thursday.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

He is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.

Image

Dey's death has cast a pall of grief over the music fraternity. Singer Jojo Mukherjee paid tribute on social media, writing, "Rest well among the stars." Singer Raghab Chatterjee also mourned his passing, saying, "Farewell, Swagato. We have lost an extraordinary artist. Much love.”

Speaking to Indian media outlet The Wall, Jojo revealed that Dey had also suffered a stroke a few months ago but had recovered sufficiently to return home from hospital. She said he was admitted again after suffering two consecutive strokes and was placed on ventilator support on Tuesday before passing away while undergoing treatment.

A resident of Nabapally in Barasat, West Bengal, Dey was celebrated for his command over various genres of Bengali folk music, including Bhatiyali. His renditions of classics such as "Moyna Cholat Cholat" and "Sona Bondhu Re" earned him immense popularity and remain cherished by generations of listeners.

Following his death, Dey's son, Sangrang Dey, shared an emotional note on social media, claiming that while the immediate cause of death was a cerebral stroke, his father had long struggled with depression brought on by changing trends in the music industry and a decline in performance opportunities.

Sangrang wrote that his father had once embraced new technology but gradually lost interest as the industry evolved. Even as live performances declined before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dey continued creating original content for YouTube with the support of his family. According to the post, his sister, Shayeri Dey, helped edit the videos while their mother, Soma Indu Dey, handled the filming.

"My father was never interested in chasing trends or producing content just because it was popular. He wanted to remain true to his own artistic identity," Sangrang wrote, adding that his father eventually found it difficult to cope with changing realities despite his family's encouragement.

He recalled repeatedly telling his father, "Baba, you need to fight alongside us. Keep up with the times—we're with you," but said the singer remained steadfast in his convictions.

Sangrang also revealed that the family's financial struggles deepened after the pandemic as performance opportunities became scarce. He credited his mother with keeping the family afloat during those difficult years and said they were ultimately unable to protect his father from depression.

Ending his tribute with a message on mental health, Sangrang urged people to look after their loved ones, reminding them that "you never know what's going on in their mind." He also encouraged those struggling with depression or anxiety to seek professional help or confide in friends, stressing that opening up can be the first step towards healing.