In Assam, renowned artist-sculptor Sobha Brahma died today at a private nursing home in Guwahati following prolonged illness. He was 82. A prolific sculptor and recipients of many awards, Brahma did his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Viswa-Bharati in West Bengal. Born in Kokrajahar district of Assam, he served as the founder principal of Government Art College in Guwahati. He also worked as Vice-Chairman of Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra, a prominent cultural centre of the state and member of the Lalit Kala Akademy.He has been painting canvases of varied forms and sculpted figures for the past 50 years, establishing an independent art idiom for the North-East.His remarkable contribution to the field of art and sculptor earned him many laurels including Kamal Kumari National Award. Various organizations and eminent people of the state including chief minister Tarun Gogoi condoled the death of Shobha Brahma.