Remembering Pandit Ramkanai Das: A Legacy of Music, Love and Memories—Paromita Mumu

Paromita Mumu:
My grandfather, Pandit Ramkanai Das, was a legendary musician in Bangladesh, whose contribution to music earned him a place of deep respect and admiration. I was fortunate to grow up in his home while my parents were away for work, so his presence was woven into my everyday childhood.

To me, however, he was more than a musician; he was my grandfather, my teacher, and a constant presence in my life. I still remember how he would wake me every morning by singing a few notes and asking, “Which raga is this?” Still sleepy and tucked under my blanket, I would try to guess sometimes confidently and sometimes completely wrong. Those simple mornings became some of my most treasured memories. Without ever making it feel like a lesson, he taught me to listen carefully, to recognize the beauty of each note, and to feel the emotion within music.

It has been twelve years since his passing, yet those mornings remain vivid in my heart. Sometimes, when I hear a familiar raga, I can almost hear his voice again and imagine him asking me that same question. Growing up in his home gave me the rare gift of experiencing not only the music of a legend, but the warmth of the man behind it. Twelve years have passed, but I still carry his music, his lessons, and his love with me. His voice may no longer fill the rooms of his home, but it continues to live in my memories.

Paromita Mumu
Classical Music Artist