Legendary folk singer Farida Parveen -Photo: Collected

By Didarul Alam

DHAKA, Sept 14, 2025 (BSS) – Farida Parveen’s artistry transcended national boundaries, bringing the timeless philosophy and melodies of Lalon Shah to audiences around the globe.revered 

Her soulful renditions of Lalon’s songs helped earn her revered titles such as “Lalon Konna” (Daughter of Lalon) and “Samraggi of Lalon Songs” (Empress of Lalon’s Music), reflecting her unmatched contribution to preserving and popularizing the bard’s legacy.

Timeless melodies such as “Satya Bolo Supothe Cholo”, “Ami Opar Hoye Bose Achhi”, “Barir Kache Arshinagar”, “Khachar Bhetor Ochin Pakhi”, “Jat Gelo, Jat Gelo Bole”, “Milon Hobe Koto Dine”, “Samay Gele Sadhan Hobe Na”, and “Tomra Bhulei Gecho Mallikadir Nam” --among countless others-- will forever echo in the hearts of listeners. Her voice in Lalon’s songs touched the hearts, blending with spirituality and philosophy.

In Japan, Sweden, Denmark, Canada, Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom and other countries across the world, her voice carried the philosophy of Lalon. In her rendition, Lalon’s songs became not merely music but a unique philosophy of life.

In 2001, she introduced Lalon’s songs at various universities in Japan. Later, she established the “Farida Parveen Trust”, aimed at preserving Lalon’s songs, creating notations, and archiving instruments.

Music was in her blood. Her grandmother was a singer and her father was a music enthusiast. In 1968, at the age of only 14, the young Farida began her professional career in music. That was the beginning of a journey that concluded yesterday after 55 years of glory. 

With her demise, a melodious voice of Lalon songs came to an end. Yet, her recorded voice will continue to soothe the hearts of Bangla-speaking people for eternity.

By singing Lalon, Farida Parveen elevated herself to an unparalleled height. Admirers introduced her as the “Empress of Lalon Songs”. Although her musical journey had begun with Nazrul Sangeet and modern songs, but she also had a distinctive mark in patriotic songs. Her rendition of “Ei Padma, Ei Meghna” still makes the people of Bengal nostalgic.

Born in Singra of Natore District, Farida Parveen was lively and playful as a child. She used to spend her days running and playing. Between her paternal and maternal homes, a branch of the Atrai river was flowed named Gur. Crossing the river, young Farida would move between her grandparents’ houses. Near her maternal home, a vast wetland was there where she and her cousins would gather water lilies.  

Her childhood was largely spent in Magura, where she also began her schooling. It was then that she first learned music under Ustad Kamal Chakraborty. Owing to her father’s profession, she lived in different districts and studied in several schools. 

Later, she resided in Kushtia for a long time, completing her SSC at Mir Mosharraf Hossain Girls’ School, HSC in 1974 at Kushtia Girls’ College, from where she also graduated. 

In that town, she practiced Lalon’s songs extensively. From childhood, she admired the voice of Sandhya Mukhopadhyay. In 1968, Farida Parveen was enlisted as a Nazrul singer at Rajshahi Betar.

After Bangladesh’s independence, she developed a deep spiritual bond with Lalon’s music while staying in Kushtia. Their family friend Moksed Ali Sai introduced her to the Lalon song “Satya Bolo Supothe Cholo” in 1973, under whose guidance she received training. 

After his death, she continued learning from Khoda Box Sai, Brajen Das, Behal Sai, Yasin Sai and Karim Sai, gradually immersing herself into the depth of Lalon’s music.

Her first husband was noted lyricist and singer Abu Zafar, with whom she had three sons and one daughter -- Jihan Faria, Imam Nimeri Upol, Imam Nahil Sumon, and Imam Nomani Rabbi. Later, she married flute maestro Gazi Abdul Hakim.

For her outstanding contribution to music, Farida Parveen was awarded the ‘Ekushey Padak’ in 1987. In 1993, she won the ‘National Film Award’ in Best Singer category for the song “Nindar Kata” in the film “Andho Prem”. In 2008, she was honored with Japan’s prestigious ‘Fukuoka Prize’.

Eminent singer Farida Parveen passed away at 10:15 pm last night (Saturday) at the Universal Medical College Hospital in the capital. She was 71. She is survived by her husband and four children.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus expressed deep shock and sorrow at her death. Cultural Affairs Adviser, Fisheries Adviser and other advisers also conveyed condolences. BNP as well as various political, socio-cultural organizations expressed their grief at her death.

Farida Parveen had long been suffering from kidney complications, requiring dialysis twice a week. On September 2, she was admitted to the Universal Medical College Hospital, Mohakhali, for her regular dialysis. 

After dialysis, her condition deteriorated and doctors advised admission. She was kept under ICU care since then. On Wednesday, as her condition deteriorated further, she was placed on ventilation.

Born on December 31, 1954, Farida Parveen spent 55 years in music. She began her professional career in 1968 at the age of 14. Due to her father’s job, she had to move to different districts.

In her musical life, she endured many ups and downs. Despite singing various genres, her recognition, popularity, and immense love from countless people came through Lalon’s songs.

Legendary singer Farida Parveen is being laid to eternal rest in Kushtia. 

Earlier, in the morning her body was placed at the Central Shaheed Minar for the public to pay their last respects. 

Later, her Namaz-e-Janaza was held at Dhaka University Central Mosque, after which she was taken to Kushtia. There, after the maghrib prayers, she will be buried at the Kushtia Poura graveyard beside her parents’ graves.

Her son Imam Nimeri Upol told journalists, “We will bury our mother in Kushtia, according to her wishes.”