Suvra Mukherjee

Suvra Mukherjee
First Lady of India
In office
25 July 2012 – 18 August 2015
Preceded by Devisingh Ransingh Shekhawat
Succeeded by Vacant
Personal details
Born Suvra Ghosh
(1940-09-17)17 September 1940
Jessore, Bengal Presidency, British India
Died 18 August 2015(2015-08-18) (aged 74)
New Delhi, India
Nationality Indian
Spouse(s) Pranab Mukherjee
(1957–2015)
Children Sharmistha
Abhijit
Indrajit
Religion Hinduism

Suvra Mukherjee (née Ghosh,[1] 17 September 1940 – 18 August 2015) was the First Lady of India from 2012 until her death in 2015. She was the wife of Indian President Pranab Mukherjee from 1957 until her death in 2015. As first lady of India, she met with other first ladies such as Michelle Obama from the United States.[2]

Life

Suvra Mukherjee was born on September 17, 1940 in Jessore (now in Bangladesh).[3] and came to Kolkatta when she was 10 years old.[4] She was a student of history in graduate school and graduated with M.A. (History), M.A. (Political Science).[5][6] She later taught history and English grammar during the early 1970s in West Midnapore.[6] She married Pranab Mukherjee on July 13, 1957 and they had three children, two sons and a daughter.[4]

Mukherjee was a vocalist of Rabindra Sangeet and performed in the poet's dance-dramas for many years in India, Europe, Asia and Africa. She was an accomplished Rabindra Sangeet singer.[7]

Mukherjee founded the Geetanjali Troupe, whose mission is to disseminate Rabindranath Tagore's philosophy through song and dance.[8] The group often rehearsed in her home on Talkatora Road.[9] She passed on her love of classical dance to her daughter, Sharmistha Mukherjee.[10] Mukherjee also occasionally performed (or planned to perform) with her daughter, Sharmistha.[11] She was also a painter who participated in both group and solo exhibitions.[12]

Mukherjee authored two books: Chokher Aloey is a personal account of her close interaction with Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and Chena Achenai Chin is a travelogue recounting her visit to China. She also supported singer Kumar Sanu and released many of his musical albums related Rabindra Sangeet and religious music.[4]

Mukherjee died of respiratory failure caused by lung cancer at RR Army hospital in New Delhi, India, aged 74.[13] Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India said: "... (she) will be remembered as a lover of art, culture and music. Her warm nature endeared her to everyone she met".[14] Her friend, Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh who attended the funeral stated: "Bangladesh has lost a great friend and well-wisher with her passing away and prayed the bereaved family to have the courage and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss."[15]

References

  1. ↑ "Yadav History - West Bengal". Yadav History. Retrieved 2015-10-19.
  2. ↑ "Suvra Mukherjee Gifts Pashmina Shawl to Michelle". The Hindu. 26 January 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  3. ↑ "President Pranab Mukherjee's wife Suvra passes away". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 2015-10-19.
  4. 1 2 3 "Suvra Mukherjee: What you didn't know about President Pranab Mukherjee's wife". Zee News. 19 August 2015. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  5. ↑ Sabha 2000, p. 379.
  6. 1 2 Jana, Naresh (24 July 2012). "Wife's Days As Teacher". The Telegraph. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  7. ↑ "President Pranab Mukherjee's wife Suvra Mukherjee dies at 74". The Economic Times. 18 August 2015. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  8. ↑ Das, Madhuparna (20 August 2015). "With Suvra Mukherjee's Demise, Gitanjali Troup Will Not Be the Same Again". Economic Times. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  9. ↑ Chowdhury, Jayanta Roy (28 February 2011). "Mrs FM's aam-aadmi Tune". The Telegraph. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  10. ↑ Ramachandran, Smriti Kak (8 September 2013). "Everyone in Mumbai, Delhi Seems to Want a Free Ticket". The Hindu. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  11. ↑ Das, Mohua (12 January 2011). "Dancer Who Happens to Be 'His' Daughter". The Telegraph. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  12. ↑ "Profile of First Lady Mrs Suvra Mukherjee" (PDF). President of India. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  13. ↑ Jha, Durgesh Nandan (18 August 2015). "Suvra Mukherjee, President Pranab Mukherjee's wife, passes away". The Times of India. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  14. ↑ "PM condoles the passing away of First Lady Mrs. Suvra Mukherjee". Office of the Prime Minister of India. 18 August 2015. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  15. ↑ "Hasina pays tributes to Suvra Mukherjee". Newage. Retrieved 20 October 2015.

Bibliography

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