Juthika Roy had honor of singing bhajans on the 15th August 1947 at the request of late Jawaharlal Nehru on the Red Fort. Later on that day she attended a function at the prime minister’s residence and entertained the guests. Juthika Roy had also met Gandhiji when he had visited Calcutta in 1946 and sang a couple of bhajans at his request during her private audience with him. Late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was also very fond of Juthika’s bhajans and befittingly awarded her Padma Shree title in 1972. Even after she retired, she was facilitated for her contribution throughout India. I can vouch for the divinity of Juthika Roy’s bhajans. My father was very fond of her singing. We had a gramophone in our house and my father used play Juthika Roy’s bhajans every morning that would wake us up slowly and gently. Since childhood bhajans like ghoonghat ka pat khol, nainan mere tumhri aur, ora chahite jaane na, prodip jagiya raho, bonar kusum bale are ingrained in my mind for ever. Not a single day has passed, when I have not listened to Juthika Roy’s bhajan or two.
Like Meera bai, Juthika Roy had given up all the luxuries of life; she remained single all her life and work only simple white saris. Juthika Roy lived a long and healthy life in seclusion in a small apartment on Shyampukur Street in Calcutta with her two sisters. Her bhajans will continue to resonate in our ears for ever and will inspire many to recite them in public and private programs. I am so fortunate to have met her once and had given me the lyrics of one of my most favorite rendition meri veena ro rahi hai written down in her own handwritings. Juthika Roy recently passed away at a ripe age of 95. In order to satisfy repeated demands by fans of Juthika Roy, the Gramophone companies have recently released following albums in CDs: Pipu Piyu Gaye Papiya, Mona Pare Aaj, Geet Manjari, Bhajans of Juthika Roy, Bhajan Alekhha and Calcutta Telephones 1 & 2. Here are links to a couple of Juthika Roy’s bhajans: (1) ghoonghat ka pat khol http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVdt6Hjus3A (2) meri veena ro rahi hai http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQpDEuQMNc4