Renowned Baul and Lalon singer Farida Parveen has been placed on life support following a long battle with illness. She was readmitted to hospital earlier this month after her condition deteriorated, despite having recently returned home from treatment.
On September 10 afternoon, doctors decided to put her on ventilation. The development was confirmed by Dr Ashish Kumar Chakraborty, managing director of the private medical college hospital in Mohakhali where she is receiving medical care.
Farida Parveen has been suffering from severe kidney complications for some time, requiring dialysis twice a week. On September 2, during one such session, her condition worsened and she was admitted to the hospital’s intensive care unit.
“The patient’s blood pressure has dropped alarmingly. The infection has increased. There are kidney complications. Overall, her condition is critical,” Dr Chakraborty said.
Her husband, noted instrumentalist Gazi Abdul Hakim, also spoke of her fragile state, “She has been admitted to the ICU four times in recent months. She suffers from lung and kidney problems. Her body is very weak. She cannot walk or even stand. Everyone should keep her in their prayers.”
Hospital sources have confirmed that, in addition to kidney and lung complications, Parveen has long been struggling with diabetes, high blood pressure and thyroid issues.
Farida Parveen began her career in 1968 as a listed Nazrul Sangeet artiste for Rajshahi Betar. She rose to prominence in 1973 with her patriotic songs before dedicating herself to Lalon Giti under the guidance of Sadhak Moksed Ali Shah.
Over the decades, she became one of the foremost exponents of the genre, earning the Ekushey Padak in 1987 for her contribution to music.
Beyond performance, she also founded the Achin Pakhi School to train the next generation of Lalon singers, leaving an indelible mark on Bangladeshi culture.
