Singer Shahnaz Rahmatullah laid to rest
Noted singer Shahnaz Rahmatullah was laid to eternal rest at Banani Military Graveyard in Dhaka on Sunday.
Before the burial, her namaz-e-janaza was held at the ‘Park Mosque’ at Baridhara road No. 9 after Zohr prayers.
Shahnaz Rahmatullah, known as the queen of modern Bangla music having an illustrious career spanning over decades, passed away at her Baridhara residence early Sunday at the age of 67.
“She suffered a major cardiac arrest,” said lyricist Shafiq Tuhin.
The singer left behind husband, one son and one daughter and a host of relatives, well-wishers and thousands of spectators to mourn her death.
The singer’s notable songs include ‘Ekbar Jete De Na Amar Chotto Sonar Gaye’, ‘Je Chilo Drishtir Shimanay’ and ‘Ek Tara Tui Desher Kotha’.
Her main areas of singing entailed modern (Adhunik) and patriotic songs.
She emerged as a singer in Dhaka in the mid-1960s. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, she sang many patriotic songs, including ‘Sohni Dharti Allah Rakhe’ and ‘Jeevay Jeevay Pakistan’ to inspire the freedom fighters as well as freedom-seeking people of the country.
In her career, she also had playback voice in many songs for Urdu films as well as gazals in the Pakistan era.
In recognition of her timeless songs, she was awarded Ekushey Padak in 1992, National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for the film ‘Chhutir Phande’ in 1990, Bangladesh Shilpakala Award and many more.
Shahnaz was born on January 2, 1952 in Dhaka.
Actor Zafar Iqbal and music director Anwar Parvez were Shahnaz Rahmatullah's brothers.
