Assam and the Indian classical music community are mourning the death of renowned Hindustani classical violinist Minoti Khaund, who passed away on the evening of January 18 at a private hospital in Guwahati. She was 85. Her passing marks the end of a distinguished musical journey that spanned more than five decades and left an indelible imprint on Indian classical music.
Family sources said Khaund had been undergoing treatment for nearly 40 days and had undergone multiple surgeries following a prolonged illness. She was suffering from high blood pressure and heart-related complications. Her mortal remains were kept at the hospital morgue overnight, and her last rites were scheduled to be performed at the Navagraha Crematorium on Monday.
Born in 1940, Minoti Khaund’s association with music began early, when her maternal grandfather recognised her natural talent and gifted her a violin at the age of 10. She received her initial training under Indreswar Sarma at the Darpanath Sarma Music School in Jorhat, where her foundational skills and discipline were shaped. Her career took a decisive turn in 1972 after a performance at the All Assam Music Conference drew the attention of legendary violinist Pandit VG Jog, who later became her mentor.
Under Pandit Jog’s guidance, Khaund developed a distinctive style that combined technical precision with lyrical sensitivity. Her musical vocabulary was further enriched through training under Sarod maestro Pandit Buddhadev Dasgupta and by absorbing the “Gayaki Ang” from noted vocalist Pandit AT Kanan, lending her violin playing a rare vocal expressiveness.
Over the years, she performed at several prestigious venues in India and abroad, including the India International Centre in New Delhi, Kala Ghoda Festival in Mumbai, Nehru Centre in London, and various Sangeet Natak Akademi platforms. She also frequently performed with her daughter, Sunita Khaund, carrying forward the guru–shishya tradition and showcasing Assamese classical artistry on national and international stages.
Her contributions were widely recognised with numerous honours, including a Gold Medal in Master of Music from Prayag Sangeet Samiti, empanelment with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, the Sangeet Jyoti Award, the Silpi Award for her long service to music, and an artist pension from the Assam government. Among her notable works was the album Invocation of Ma, dedicated to Durga Shakti, which she performed extensively in India and overseas.
Beyond performance, Minoti Khaund was a respected teacher, academician and writer. She mentored generations of students, served as visiting faculty at a Guwahati-based music college, acted as a panel examiner for state-level courses, and regularly wrote on classical music, emphasising its role in cultural continuity and inner harmony.
As tributes pour in from across the country, Minoti Khaund is remembered not only as a master violinist but also as a custodian of tradition whose music and teachings will continue to resonate through her students and admirers for years to come.
