DHAKA: Legendary singer Farida Parveen (pic) passed away on Saturday (Sept 13) while undergoing treatment at Universal Medical College Hospital in Dhaka. She was 70.
Confirming the news to the media, her husband, renowned flautist Ustad Gazi Abdul Hakim, said that her body will be taken to several places in Dhaka on Sunday to allow people to pay their final respects before burial in Kushtia, beside the graves of her parents.
According to Hakim, the body will first be taken to the music school "Ochin Pakhi" in the morning, followed by her first funeral procession at Tejkunipara mosque. Then the body will be placed at the Central Shaheed Minar, where people from all walks of life, including artistes and cultural workers, will gather to pay tribute. Later, another funeral procession will be held at Dhaka University Central Mosque. After these formalities, the body will be transported to Kushtia for burial.
Farida Parveen's contribution to popularising the songs of Lalon Sai, a Bengali poet and singer whose work promoted interfaith harmony, is widely acknowledged. Beyond Bangladesh, she carried Lalon's philosophy and melodies to the global stage, performing in countries including Japan, Sweden, Denmark, Canada, Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom.
In recognition of her work, she was awarded the Ekushey Padak in 1987, the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer in 1993 for the song "Nindar Kata" from the film "Ondho Prem," and the prestigious Fukuoka Prize in Japan in 2008.
Though celebrated primarily as a Lalon singer, she also gained popularity with modern and patriotic songs. - The Daily Star/ANN
