Eminent singer Farida Parveen passes away

Staff Reporter: Eminent folk singer and the "Queen of Lalon Geeti" Farida Parveen passed away tonight (13 September). She was 71.

She breathed her last at 10:15pm while undergoing treatment at Universal Medical College Hospital in Dhaka, Dr Ashis Kumar Chakraborty, managing director of the hospital, told UNB.

According to hospital sources, Farida had been suffering from kidney ailments for a long time. In recent weeks, her condition had worsened to the point that she required dialysis twice a week, reports BSS.

She was then admitted to the hospital's ICU, where her condition remained critical. On 10 September, her condition worsened further, and physicians decided to place her on life support.

She is survived by her husband and four children.

Farida Parveen, born on 31 December 1954 in Singra, Natore, has dedicated 55 years of her life to music. She began her professional musical career in 1968 at the age of 14.

Although she started with Kazi Nazrul Islam's songs and later modern songs, the majority of her life has been devoted to performing the works of Lalon Shah.

She spent many years in Kushtia practising and popularising Lalon music. For her contributions, she was awarded the Ekushey Padak in 1987.

In addition, she won the National Film Award for BestF Female Playback Singer in 1993 for the song "Nindar Kata" from the film Andho Prem. In 2008, she received Japan's prestigious Fukuoka Prize.

Farida Parveen also gained popularity for several modern and patriotic songs, including "Tomra Bhulei Gecho Mollikadir Naam" and "Ei Padma Ei Meghna."

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.