Mukherjee was born on 17 September 1940 in Jessore DistrictofBengal Presidency (now in Bangladesh ),[1] and moved to Calcutta when she was 10 years old.[2] She married Pranab Mukherjee on 13 July 1957 and the couple had two sons and a daughter.[2] She held two master's degrees, in history and in political science[3][4] and also taught history and English grammar during the early 1970s in West Midnapore.[4]
Mukherjee, was an accomplished singer and a vocalist of songs composed by Rabindranath Tagore, which are known as Rabindra Sangeet. She performed in his dance-dramas for many years in India, Europe, Asia and Africa,[5] as well as being the founder of the Geetanjali Troupe, whose mission is to disseminate Tagore's philosophy through song and dance.[6] The group often rehearsed in her home on Talkatora Road.[7] She passed on her love of classical dance to her daughter, Sharmistha Mukherjee,[8] with whom she also occasionally performed.[9] She was also a painter who participated in both group and solo exhibitions.[10]
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.[2]
Mukherjee died in a hospital in New Delhi, India, aged 74. She had respiratory problems and was treated as a heart patient.[11]
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".[12] 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".[13]
^Chowdhury, Jayanta Roy (28 February 2011). "Mrs FM's aam-aadmi Tune". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 4 March 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
