Ramchandra Manjhi, an aide of Bhikhari Thakur, who is called Shakespeare of Bhojpuri, resident of Tuzarpur in Marhaura assembly of Saran district, has passed away. Not only Bhojpuri but the entire art world is mourning the death of Ramchandra Manjhi, the oldest of the living disciples of folk artist Late Bhikhari Thakur and who has worked with him for almost thirty years. He used to join Bhikhari Thakur’s dance party from the age of about 10 years, acting and dancing in their plays.
Ramchandra Manjhi, who gave international recognition to Launda dance, breathed his last at IGIMS Hospital in Patna late on Wednesday night. He was battling the problem of heart blockage and infection. Along with this, he also had many age-related problems. He was honored with Padma Shri, Sangeet Natak Akademi and many other awards. With the death of Ramchandra Majhi, the golden chapter of Bhojpuri Launda dance also came to an end.
Manjhi, 84, was admitted to IGIMS on the initiative of Minister Jitendra Rai. He was under treatment for five days. Ironically, no artist from Bihar went to the hospital to see Ramchandra Manjhi in the last 5 days. On his death, the process of paying tribute on social media is going on.
Jitendra Kumar Rai wrote on Twitter – Imperfect loss to my assembly constituency….. Today, along with Saran, Bihar’s Gaurav Bikhari Thakur ji’s associate Padma Shri awardee Shri Ramchandra Manjhi ji has now said goodbye to this world, we all tried hard to make him healthy, but today he said goodbye to this world during treatment. I offer my tributes, may God rest the departed soul and give strength to the family to bear this loss.
