Passing of Professor Emeritus Dipannita Basu

Dipannita Basu, Professor Emerita of Africana Studies and Sociology (1995–2016), passed away in the early hours of July 2 at Pomona Valley Hospital

Born in India, raised in England, and later moving to the United States to complete her postdoctoral work at UCLA, Dipa brought a truly global perspective to everything she did. Beloved as Pitzer’s “Professor of Hip Hop,” she dedicated her career to studying the sociology of music, Black popular culture, and the politics of race and ethnicity. She was deeply committed to her students, forging meaningful and lasting connections across generations.

Dipa also worked with young prisoners at Feltham YOI in the UK and Camp Afflerbaugh–Paige in California, sharing education, meditation, and the uplifting power of art and music. She believed deeply in giving everyone a chance to grow and transform.

Colleagues and staff who knew Dipa will remember her brilliance, her outgoing spirit, her bold humor, her distinctive style, her zest for life, and her remarkable courage. She loved dancing to house music and hip hop, and this joy infused her work and her life. As a testimony to her life force, Dipa was considered a medical enigma, having lived and thrived well over a decade longer than the dismal prognosis she received in 2012. She continued to enjoy life fully despite her medical challenges, embodying resilience and joy to the very end.

A non-denominational service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on July 17 at Todd Memorial Chapel in Pomona, followed by a Celebration of Life gathering at 11:30 a.m. at Lordsburg Taphouse & Grill, 2335 D Street, La Verne, CA 91750. Colleagues and friends are warmly invited to attend both events to honor and celebrate Dipa’s life and legacy.

Dipa’s husband, Martin Perminas, looks forward to welcoming all who wish to pay tribute.