Ekushey Padak-winning singer Mahbuba Rahman dies at 91

Mahbuba Rahman, a pioneering playback singer and recipient of the Ekushey Padak, died on Thursday evening in Dhaka. She was 91.

The veteran artiste breathed her last at around 6:15pm while undergoing treatment at a private hospital. She had been suffering from age-related complications.

Born in 1935, Mahbuba Rahman began her musical journey early. At just 12, her songs were first broadcast from the Dhaka station of All India Radio, marking the beginning of a long and influential career.

She rose to prominence in the 1950s and 1960s as one of the leading voices on radio and in cinema. Known for her command over palligeeti and modern songs, she became a familiar and respected presence in the country’s evolving music scene.

Rahman is best remembered as one of the playback singers of “Mukh O Mukhosh”, widely regarded as Bangladesh’s first full-length Bengali-language sound film. Under the composition of Samar Das, she lent her voice to “Moner Bone Dola Lage”, a song that brought her widespread recognition.

Over the decades, she recorded numerous popular tracks, including “Nirala Rater Prothom Prohore” and “Tomake Bhalobeshe Obosheshe Ki Pelam”. Her playback work also extended to a range of notable films such as “Jago Hua Savera”, “Asia”, “E Desh Tomar Amar”, “Je Nodi Morupothe”, “Kokhono Asheni”, “Surjosnan”, “Sonar Kajol”, “Raja Sontrosi”, “Nawab Sirajuddaula”, and “Sat Bhai Champa”.

Her contribution to Bangladesh’s music and film industry remains foundational, particularly during a period when the country’s cultural identity was still taking shape.

Mahbuba Rahman’s death marks the end of an era—one that helped define the sound of early Bangladeshi cinema and radio.