Legendary folk singer Farida Parveen, often hailed as the ‘Queen of Lalon Giti’, passed away in Dhaka on Saturday at the age of 71 while undergoing treatment at Universal Medical College Hospital.
Her husband, eminent flautist Ustad Gazi Abdul Hakim, confirmed the news and outlined the arrangements for her final journey.
Imam Nahil, Farida Parveen’s son, told the media that the renowned artist had been ill since December last year. Over the past eight months, she had been admitted to the ICU four times and required dialysis twice a month.
Farida Parveen had long been battling kidney complications and diabetes. In July, she spent two weeks in the ICU and earlier in February, she was hospitalized for 13 days due to breathing problems. Following her latest admission, a six-member medical board was formed to oversee her treatment.
“On September 2, she vomited blood during dialysis and was rushed back to the ICU. On September 10, she was placed on life support but could not be revived,” Imam informed.
On Sunday morning, Parveen’s body was taken first to her music school Ochin Pakhi, followed by her first janaza at Tejkunipara mosque at 9 am. At 10:30 am, her body was placed at the Central Shaheed Minar, where fellow artistes, cultural activists and admirers paid their last respects.
A second janaza was held at Dhaka University Central Mosque at 11:30 am. She was finally laid to rest in Kushtia beside her parents’ graves as per her last wishes.
Farida Parveen’s artistry gave new life to the timeless songs of Lalon Shah. Over her long career, she carried Lalon’s philosophy and melodies beyond Bangladesh, enchanting audiences in Japan, Sweden, Denmark, Canada, Australia, the US and the UK.
Her contributions were recognized with numerous honours, including the Ekushey Padak in 1987, the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer in 1993 for ‘Ondho Prem’ and Japan’s prestigious Fukuoka Prize in 2008.
While her name became synonymous with Lalon’s music, she also left her mark with modern and patriotic songs such as ‘Tomra Bhule Gechho Mallikadir Nam’ and ‘Ei Padma, Ei Meghna’.
Born on December 31, 1954, in Natore, Farida grew up in Kushtia. Her father was a doctor and her mother was a homemaker.
Immersed in a culturally rich family environment, she was introduced to music at an early age and began learning to sing at just five years old.
Inspired by her parents, she pursued classical music and initially aspired to become a Nazrul Sangeet artist. She launched her musical career in 1968 by performing Nazrul Geeti on Rajshahi Betar and later expanded her repertoire to include modern and patriotic songs.
As Bangladesh mourns, the final farewell in Kushtia will mark the end of an era but her voice and legacy will continue to echo across generations.
