Popular singer Farida Yasmin dies at 74. File photo.

Farida Yasmin, a major Bangla playback singer of the 1960s, breathed her last at a city hospital today. She was 74.

Her health has been failing for the last couple of years as she suffered from heart, kidney, diabetes, and hypertension complications, said her long time colleague and noted singer Ferdousi Rahman.

She passed away around 6:00pm at the Intensive Care Unit of Birdem Hospital where she was admitted 20 days earlier, said Md Khurshid Alam, another playback singer, who visited Farida Yasmin at the hospital.

“She was a very talented singer, who could have been a major cultural icon if she pursued her career in music for a long time,” said Ferdousi Rahman.

Farida became irregular in the cultural circuit in the late 60s after her marriage and gradually retreated from the spotlight, she added.

Farida’s four sisters – Nilufar Yasmin, Fauzia Yasmin, Nazma Yasmin, and Sabina Yasmin – are all famous singers.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Chief Whip of the parliament ASM Feroz, among others, expressed deep shock at her demise.

The premier prayed for salvation of the departed soul and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family members.