Bangladesh’s music fraternity has been plunged into mourning following the deaths of two artists whose work together helped shape a generation of listeners. Within the space of just two days, guitarist Selim Haider and singer Jens Suman, the creative forces behind the iconic track ‘Ekta Chador Hobe’, passed away, leaving the industry reeling from the sudden double loss.
Selim Haider, celebrated for his expressive guitar work, died on Thursday night after battling cancer. Less than 24 hours later, news broke that Jens Suman, whose voice brought Ekta Chador Hobe its enduring emotional resonance, had died on Friday afternoon after being admitted to the National Heart Institute with severe chest pain.
Their deaths are deeply intertwined in the minds of fans and colleagues, not only because of their personal rapport, but because together they helped produce one of the most recognisable audio releases of the early 2000s.
When the album Ekta Chador Hobe was released in 2002, its title song rapidly gained popularity following a feature on a BTV magazine show. Suman became a household name almost overnight, while Haider’s guitarwork, crafted under the musical direction of lyricist-composer Ithun Babu, was widely praised for its melodic clarity.
The shock of losing both collaborators in quick succession has left those closest to them struggling to articulate their grief.
For many in the music community, the deaths of Suman and Haider feel like the closing of a chapter; a reminder of an era when original audio releases could define cultural moments and create lifelong bonds between artists and audiences.
