Renowned singer of patriotic song ‘Jeevay Jeevay Pakistan,’ Shahnaz Begum passes away

DHAKA - Renowned singer Shahnaz Begum, who sang ‘Sohni Dharti Allah Rakhe’ and ‘Jeevay Jeevay Pakistan’ passes away in Bangladesh due to cardiac arrest, she was 67 years old.

Shehnaz Begum was born on January 2, 1952, in Dhaka to M Fazlul Haq and Asiya Haq.

Her main area of singing entails modern songs (Adhunik Gaan) and patriotic songs. She emerged as a singer in Dhaka in the mid-1960s.

Shahnaz was best known for singing the songs as “Sohni Dharti Allah Rakhe” “Jeevay Jeevay Pakistan”, Ekbar Jete De Na Amar Chotto Sonar Gaye, Je Chilo Drishtir Shimanay and Ek Tara Tui Desher Kotha.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlRxH_a4V3Q

She is the recipient of the Ekushey Padak in 1992 and Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for the film Chhutir Phande (1990).

She is survived by her husband and two children.

Her funeral prayers will be held today at Baridhara Park Road Mosque after Zohar prayers.

She will be buried at the Army graveyard adjacent to Bannani graveyard, Dhaka.

Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesman expressed condolence on her sudden death.

In a tweet, he wrote: “We mourn the passing away of Shahnaz Begum, a wonderful singer. Her signature song  “Sohni Dharti Allah Rakhay”, written by Jameeluddin Aali, still reverberates in our hearts and minds.”

We mourn the passing away of Shahnaz Begum, a wonderful singer. Her signature song “Sohni Dharti Allah Rakhay”, written by Jameeluddin Aali, still reverberates in our hearts and minds.

— Dr Mohammad Faisal (@DrMFaisal) March 24, 2019

It is ironic that the singer who gave such popular national songs died on March 23, a day to commemorate Lahore Resolution 1940.