legendary singer Sabina Yasmin-File Photo

DHAKA, Sept 4, 2026 (BSS) - Today marks the 72nd birthday of legendary singer Sabina Yasmin, one of the most celebrated voices in the history of Bangladeshi music.

Sabina Yasmin was born on September 4, 1954, in Satkhira. Her father Lutfar Rahman was a government official under the British Raj and her mother Begum Mouluda Khatun was a singer. Sabina Yasmin's mother took singing lessons from musician Ustad Quader Baksh. Out of her five sisters, four sisters were involved in music. They are Farida Yasmin, Fouzia Yasmin, Nilufar Yasmin and Nazma Yasmin.

Sabina Yasmin's passion for music was born from childhood. Sabina Yasmin sang on stage at the age of seven. When her elder sister Farida Yasmin was taught singing by Ustad Durga Prasad Roy, Sabina would sit next to her sister and sing those songs. Neighbouring musician Altaf Mahmud first discovered Sabina Yasmin's singing voice.

The first song Sabina Yasmin learned on the harmonium at home was 'Khokon Moni Sona.' She started taking singing lessons from Ustad P.C. Gomez at the age of just 13. In 1962, she participated in the children's song in the tune of Rabin Ghosh in the film Notun Sur.

She used to sing for children in a radio programme called 'Khelaghar'. She made her debut as a singer in 1967 with the film Agun Niye Khela. She gained immense popularity in 1972 with the film Abujh Mon by singing the song 'Shudhu Gaan Geye Porichoy'. Subsequently, she sang numerous patriotic songs and film songs in her long career.

Not only for giving voice to patriotic or film songs, Sabina Yasmin has also given voice to songs of various genres, including classical, folk, and modern Bangla songs. Those songs have elevated her to a high level. She has been singing for more than five decades.

Sabina Yasmin has given voice to the song of the film 'Shatru' composed by renowned Indian Bengali composer RD Burman. On the other hand, she sang the song 'Chero Na Chero Na Haat' in the Indo-Bangla joint production film 'Annay Abichar'. Sabina also sang duets with renowned singers Kishore Kumar and Manna Dey. She sang the song 'Pathero Saathi Namogo Pathe Aaj' in a duet with popular singer Shyamal Mitra. Sabina Yasmin sang two songs in the tune of Bhupen Hazarika and Masud Karim.

She sang more than 10,000 songs. Some of her notable patriotic songs include 'Sab Kata Janala Khule Daona', 'O Amar Bangla Ma', 'Janmo Amar Dhanya Holo Ma Go', 'Majhi Nao Chediya De', 'Sundar Subarna Taronnya', and 'Ekti Bangladesh Tumi Jagrat Jantar'.

Her hugely popular songs 'O Amar Rossiya Bandhure' and 'Chithi Dio Pratidin', composed by renowned composer Alauddin Ali, are still equally popular.

The iconic singer has received numerous accolades, including the Independence Award in 1996 and the Ekushey Padak in 1984, and has won the Bangladesh National Film Award 14 times and the Bachsas Awards six times.

Meanwhile, to commemorate Sabina Yasmin's birthday, a programme titled 'Shudhu Gaan Geye Parichoy' will be aired on private television Channel i at 10:20 pm, hosted by senior film journalist Abdur Rahman, on Friday and Saturday.