Assam is preparing to bid farewell to one of its most respected musicians, noted flutist Dipak Sarma, with full state honours. The celebrated artist passed away in Chennai on Monday morning, leaving behind a huge void in the cultural world of the state. His death has brought deep sorrow across Assam, where he was loved not only for his music but also for his humble and gentle nature.
According to official information, the Assam government has decided that his funeral will be held with state dignity, a rare and special honour reserved for personalities who have made great contributions to society. Authorities have also informed that a public tribute will be held at the Bakari of Seuj Sangha before the final rites, so that people can come together and offer their last respects to the maestro.
Dipak Sarma’s mortal remains are expected to arrive in Guwahati on Tuesday morning by a special chartered flight from Chennai. The flight carrying his body will leave early morning and land at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport. From there, his remains will be taken to his residence at Ambikagiri Nagar for private family rituals. His house, which was always filled with the sound of his flute and his warm presence, will now witness moments of silence, grief, and prayers from close relatives and loved ones. 
After the rituals at home, his body will be taken to Seuj Sangha, a place deeply rooted in Guwahati’s cultural life. Between 10 am and 2 pm, the Bakari of Seuj Sangha will be open for the public to pay tribute. Cultural organisations, artists, his students, admirers, and common citizens are expected to gather there to bow their heads and remember him. People who learned music from him and those who admired him from afar say that this gathering will be not just a formal moment, but an emotional farewell to a beloved cultural guardian.
Later in the afternoon, his mortal remains will be taken to Navagraha crematorium for the final rites. As per government announcement, the cremation will take place with full state honours, reflecting the respect he earned over decades of dedicated service to music. A ceremonial guard of honour is likely to be part of the farewell, marking the state’s gratitude to a man who represented Assam’s musical soul across India and abroad.
Dipak Sarma, who was 57 years old, breathed his last at a hospital in Chennai on November 3 at around 6:15 am. He had been undergoing treatment for a rare liver disease. Before being shifted to Chennai for advanced medical care, he was admitted to a hospital in Guwahati. His passing has brought an outpouring of grief from people of all ages. Social media has been filled with messages from artists, students, and fans sharing memories and expressing their heartbreak.
Sarma was known not only as a master of the flute but also as a humble human being. Throughout his career, he carried Assam’s folk tunes and classical melodies to different parts of India and the world. He was admired for his simplicity, dedication, and love for Assamese culture.
