Historian of medieval South India

Ranjeeta Dutta | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement As academics, we are expected to be able to write and respond to matters ever so easily, almost in a jiffy. Yet, there are moments when it is so very difficult to gather one’s thoughts, to process what has happened. This is one such moment. It is difficult to believe that the vibrant Ranjeeta Dutta is no longer with us.Ranjeeta, who passed away on October 25 at the age of 55, loved the colours of life. It could be the bright yellow and red of a sari; it could be the vibrant pattern on a kurta; it could be the colour of flowers. And this love for colour was reflected in her personality. She knew how to enjoy life: she could laugh heartily at a joke, talk about food, enjoy a drink, plan fun-events … She could also angrily speak out on issues that mattered to her, express her viewpoints in no uncertain terms, and share her insecurities and anxieties. Published - November 15, 2026 04:53 am IST