Mukherjee was born on 17 September 1940 to a Bengali Brahmin family in Jessore District of Bengal Presidency (now in Bangladesh ),[1] and moved to Calcutta when she was 10 years old.

[4] Mukherjee, was an accomplished singer and a vocalist of songs composed by Rabindranath Tagore, which are known as Rabindra Sangeet.

She performed in his dance-dramas for many years in India, Europe, Asia and Africa,[5] as well as being the founder of the Geetanjali Troupe, whose mission is to disseminate Tagore's philosophy through song and dance.

[10] Mukherjee authored two books: Chokher Aloey is a personal account of her close interaction with Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and Chena Achenai Chin is a travelogue recounting her visit to China.

[11] Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India said: "... (she) will be remembered as a lover of art, culture and music.