Guwahati; April 7: The guitar was his favourite musical instrument.

With the strumming of the strings, singer Charu Gohain poured out his heart through some of the most romantic songs in the Assamese language that instantly struck a chord among the younger generation.

The singer passed away at 10.45am this morning at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital where he was admitted on February 24 following a liver problem.

He was shifted to the ICU on April 5.

Gohain is survived by his wife Sewali, and two daughters, Kakoli and Surabhi.

On innumerable stages across the state, Gohain sang Rati bahi bai kune mok konduai ....(Who makes me cry playing the flute at night...), and this morning, the singer himself left the world, making his fans weep.

Born on September 17, 1951 at Charaideo in Sivasagar district, Gohain studied at Nazira Boys Higher Secondary and MP School, Sivasagar Government Higher Secondary School and B. Borooah College.

Some of his popular songs are Rati bahi bai kune mok konduai, Jilmil jon jole kopalot, Dighali pukhurior parore, Tumi ahisila senai mor podulile buli and Bohagote ahibi senai .

Natun Niyor, Xurabhi, Charu Gohain Gaan (in two volumes) and Jon Jole Kopalot are the three albums Gohain had released.

He has contributed around 200 songs to the Assamese cultural world.

The singer, who beautifully expressed the wish of a Assamese girl to get a kopou phul on her bun from her lover in Bohag bihu in his song Bohagote ahibi senai will himself be absent this bihu.

Gohain accompanied singer Jayanta Hazarika at different functions on the guitar and thus came into contact with Bhupen Hazarika, his favourite singer.

On numerous stages he had also sung Bhupen Hazarika’s songs.

Singer J.P. Das said Gohain made a major contribution to his success. “I sang many songs written by him. I knew him closely. The people of the state have lost a nice singer today. After Jayanta Hazarika, I had worked with him on numerous occasions,” Das said.

Music director Mrinalkanti described his songs as easy to understand.

“His simple songs appealed to the people. That is why they are popular among the audience,” he said.

“I am very hurt today. He was my close friend. He assisted me with his guitar for five years. I first met him through J.P. Das with whom he had a close relationship,” said popular singer Dipen Barua.

Chief minister Tarun Gogoi has condoled the death of Charu Gohain and said the state has lost one of its best singers.

The AASU has also condoled the death of Charu Gohain. The students’ union organised a function at Swahid Nyas in the city where a large number of artistes and citizens paid tribute to the singer.