Legendary folk singer Farida Parveen and Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter. Collage : BSS

DHAKA, Sept 13, 2025 (BSS) - Celebrated folk singer and the “Queen of Lalon Geeti” Farida Parveen passed away at a hospital in the city tonight, sources confirmed.  
 
She was 71.  
 
She is survived by her husband and four children.
 
Farida Parveen had been suffering from kidney ailments for long time. In recent weeks, her condition had worsened to the point that she required dialysis twice a week, hospital sources said.
 
On September 2, she was taken to Universal Medical College Hospital in Mohakhali for her routine dialysis. However, following the procedure, her condition deteriorated, and physicians advised her immediate hospitalisation.
 
She was then admitted to the hospital's ICU, where her condition remained critical. On Wednesday, her condition worsened further, and physicians decided to place her on ventilation support.
 
She left behind a legacy that transcends generations, deeply rooted in the soil of Bangladeshi folk music. Her life, intertwined with Lalon’s philosophy, stood as a testament to the power of music to inspire, heal, and elevate the human spirit.
 
Born on December 31, 1954, in Natore and raised in Kushtia, Farida Parveen grew up in a cultural environment that nurtured her love for music from childhood. Guided by her father’s encouragement, she began with lessons in classical music. But her life changed during a Dol Purnima festival in Kushtia, where she met Moksed Ali Shai, a renowned Lalon singer who became her mentor. He opened the door to the spiritual world of Lalon’s songs and philosophy.
 
Lalon’s mystic songs found their perfect interpreter in Farida’s voice. Her performances were more than music—they were spiritual experiences, connecting audiences with life’s essence, love, and humanity. Her rendition of “Shatyo Bol Shupothey Chol” became symbolic of her life’s compass: honesty, sincerity, and dedication.
 
Although she rose to national fame in 1973 with the patriotic son “Ei Padma Ei Meghna”, it was her mastery of Lalon songs that established her as the country’s “Lalonkonya.” Albums like “Khachar Bhitor Ochin Pakhi” and “Milon Hobe Koto Dine” remain timeless, capturing the depth of Bangladeshi folk tradition.
 
Farida’s contributions extended beyond performance. She founded the Farida Parveen Foundation to preserve and promote Lalon’s music, mentoring young musicians and instilling in them values of patience, sincerity, and dedication. She often lamented that the younger generation was too focused on shortcuts, urging them instead to follow the footsteps of their gurus to achieve lasting artistry.
 
Her extraordinary career brought her many accolades. She was awarded the Ekushey Padak in 1987, the Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer in 1993, and the prestigious Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize in 2008, which earned her international acclaim.
 
Farida frequently emphasized the transformative power of Lalon’s philosophy, crediting it with helping her find inner peace and connect with humanity.
 
Her preservation efforts included working to notate and safeguard 100 of Lalon’s songs for future generations. She even dreamed of establishing a university dedicated to studying Lalon’s philosophy—a reflection of her lifelong commitment to cultural heritage.