Eminent singer Farida Parveen passes away
Farida Parveen had been on life support at the hospital since 10 September
Eminent folk singer and the "Queen of Lalon Geeti" Farida Parveen passed away at the Universal Medical College Hospital in Dhaka's Mohakhali tonight (13 September). She was 71.
She breathed her last at 10:15pm while undergoing treatment, Dr Ashis Kumar Chakraborty, the hospital's managing director, told UNB.
Parveen's family members also confirmed the news on Facebook.
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According to her family, Farida Parveen had been on life support since Wednesday (10 September), suffering from multi-organ failures. Medical boards had been formed, and physicians tried their best to stabilise her condition but were unable to do so.
The renowned artiste had long battled kidney complications alongside other health issues. She was admitted to the hospital on 2 September for routine dialysis, but her condition worsened, prompting a transfer to the ICU.
Parveen had been admitted to the ICU four times over the past six months due to recurring health complications. Both of her kidneys had stopped functioning recently, and her condition became critical due to multi-organ failure.
Born on December 31, 1954, Farida Parveen began her musical journey in 1968 as a listed singer at Rajshahi Betar, performing Nazrul songs.
She gained recognition in 1973 through patriotic songs before receiving formal training in Lalon music under Moksed Ali Shah, eventually emerging as a living legend of the genre.
Her first husband was the eminent lyricist and singer Abu Zafar, most famous for his patriotic song "Ei Padma Ei Meghna." From that marriage, she had three sons and a daughter: Zihan Faria, Imam Nimeri Upal, Imam Nahil, and Imam Zafar Numanee.
She later married renowned flautist Gazi Abdul Hakim.
Farida Parveen's contributions to popularising Lalon Shai's lyrics and melodies are widely recognised. She performed Lalon songs not only across Bangladesh but also in Japan, Sweden, Denmark, Canada, Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom and many other countries.
Although she is best known as a Lalon singer, several modern and patriotic songs in her voice became popular.
Through renditions such as "Khachar Vitor Ochin Pakhi," "Barir Kache Arshinagar," and "Ei Padma Ei Meghna," she secured a lasting place in the hearts of her fans. She also established the 'Achin Pakhi School' to teach Lalon songs to the younger generation.
For her outstanding contributions to music, she received the Ekushey Padak in 1987. She also won the National Film Award as Best Female Singer in 1993 for the song "Nindar Kata" from the film 'Andho Prem' and was awarded Japan's Fukuoka Prize in 2008.
She was also the Founder and Chairperson of the Farida Parveen Foundation
CA mourns
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has expressed deep sorrow at the death of Farida Parveen.
In a condolence message today, the chief adviser wrote, "Although Farida Parveen sang Nazrul and various patriotic songs, she was known to listeners as the 'Lalonkonna'. For five decades, her renditions of Lalon Shai's songs touched people's hearts."
"Her music also brought a new dimension to the inner philosophy and worldview of our culture. Despite many adversities, Farida Parveen never distanced herself from music. Her passion for singing has inspired generations," Yunus said.
He noted that the Ekushey Padak-winning artiste's contribution to Bangladeshi music will remain unforgettable, enriching the nation's cultural sphere with new thoughts and creativity.
The chief adviser prayed for the eternal peace of Farida Parveen's soul and conveyed his deepest condolences to the bereaved family.
