Mahbuba Rahman, one of Bangladesh’s pioneering playback singers and a recipient of the Ekushey Padak, passed away in Dhaka on Thursday evening at the age of 92. She breathed her last around 6:15pm at LabAid Hospital, where she had been receiving treatment for age-related complications.
Singer Rumana Islam confirmed Rahman’s death, adding that she had been unwell for a long time. Her funeral will be held at the Moghbazar Wireless Jame Mosque on Friday, after which she will be laid to rest at the Shahid Buddhijibi Graveyard following Jumma prayers.
Born in Chattogram in 1935, Rahman began her musical journey at an early age. Her songs were first broadcast from the Dhaka station of All India Radio when she was just 12, marking the start of a long and influential career.
She rose to prominence in the 1950s and 1960s, becoming a familiar voice on radio and in the film industry. Known for her mastery of both folk and modern songs, Rahman played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s cultural landscape.
Rahman gained widespread recognition after lending her voice to “Moner Bone Dola Lage” in Mukh O Mukhosh, widely regarded as Bangladesh’s first full-length Bengali-language talkie. The song was composed by renowned musician Samar Das. She later achieved further acclaim with “Amar Golar Har Khule Ne” in the film Asiya, directed by Fateh Lohani.
Over the decades, she recorded numerous popular songs including “Amar Jodi Thakta Pakhir Dana”, “Amar Na Bola Kotha”, “Sonali Ei Dhaner Khete”, “Age Jani Na Re Dayal”, “Tumi Dao Dekha Dorodi”, “Amar Bondhu Binodia”, “Ajke Amar Malonche Phul Fote Nai”, and “Amar Mon Bhalo Na Go, Pran Bhalo Na Go”.
Her playback career extended to notable films such as Jago Hua Savera, E Desh Tomar Amar, Je Nodi Morupothe, Kokhono Aseni, Surjosnan, Sonar Kajol, Nawab Sirajuddaula, and Sat Bhai Champa.
Mahbuba Rahman’s contributions during the formative years of Bangladesh’s music and film industry remain highly significant, especially at a time when the nation’s cultural identity was still taking shape.
