Rabindra Sangeet singer Sadi Mohammad is no more. He committed suicide.  The news of his death was received on Wednesday (March 13) at around 9 pm. The news of his death was confirmed by his brother dancer Shibli Mohammad. Shibli told to the reporters that his elder brother was practicing music with Tanpura in his room this evening. Shibli suddenly saw the door of the room closed. Then he broke open the door and recovered his hanging body.   

Renowned singer Pankaj Udhas was known for his distinctive style,  passed away at the age of 72. The celebrated Ghazal singer died on Monday (February 26) at around 11 am. "Pankaj Sir was suffering from prolonged illness and was not keeping well for the last couple of days. He died this morning around 11 am at Breach Candy hospital," his team told in local media. Pankaj has enthralled the 80s generation with Hindi hit songs like Chitthi Aai Hai, Thodi Thodi Piya Karo, Na Kajre Ki Dhar and so on. 

Begum Hasina Momtaz, a renowned singer from the 1960 S breathed her last on 18 February, 2024 at Japan Bangladesh Friendship Hospital, Dhanmondi. She suffered a cardiac failure around 6 PM. She was 79. Begum Hasina Momtaz was a student at the Department of Geography, University of Dhaka, and gained prominence as a cultural activist and singer since the 1970 s. She is remembered for many of her songs, including “Tandrahara Nayan Amar …”. She also inspired the nation during the mass movement of the 1969 and the liberation war in 1971 by her songs. Bangladesh Shilpokola Academy recognised her significant accomplishments as a singer by awarding her “ Shilpokola Award” in 2019. Her husband Late Rafiqul Islam was a renowned banker and served as the managing director of National Bank ltd. The deceased is survi by her only son, who Professor Shibli Rubayat Ul Islam was the former Dean, Faculty of Business Studies, University of Dhaka, and now serves as the chairman of Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission. She is also survived by her daughter in law, Shenin Rubayat, two grandsons and numerous relatives, friends, and admirers. Her Namaz e Janaza will be held on Monday February 19,2024 at Eidgah Mosque at Dhanmondi 6/A after Zuhr prayers. The bereaved family request you all to pray for salvation of her departed soul.

Eminent singer and former Trinamool Congress member Anup Ghoshal passed away. At the time of his death, he was 78 years old. Due to old-age complications, Anup Ghoshal was admitted at the hospital. He was undergoing treatment for an extended period. The doctors confirmed that he passed away following a cardiac attack, according to Indian media agencies. West Bengal chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, extended heartfelt condolences to the family, relatives, and admirers of Anup Ghoshal, writing that the passing away of Anup Ghoshal incurred an irreparable loss to the music. Anup Ghoshal voiced in Satyajit Ray's films like "Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne" and "Hirak Rajar Deshe". Anup Ghoshal earned acclaim for his renditions of Kazi Nazrul Islam’s songs. Besides lending his voices in Bangla films, he also recorded song for various languages, including Hindi, Assamese and Bhojpuri. West Bengal government honoured Anup Ghoshal with the Nazrul Smriti Puraskar in 2011, and in 2013, he received the Music Lifetime Achievement Award.

Authorities in Iran have launched legal action against a male pop singer whose latest song encouraged women to take off their mandatory headscarves, the judiciary said on Sunday. Mehdi Yarrahi released a song on Friday entitled "Roosarito," which means "Your Headscarf" in Farsi. The song expresses support for last year's protests against Iran's mandatory headscarf policy, which erupted after Jina Mahsa Amini died in the custody of the country's morality police. "A legal case was filed against Mehdi Yarrahi following the release of an illegal song which defies the morals and customs of the Islamic society," the judiciary's Mizan Online website said. What did Mehdi Yarrahi's song say? The lyrics of Yarrahi's song call on women to "take off their (head) scarves" and said the Iranian people demand that it be made optional. The music video also includes clips of women dancing with their hair uncovered and contains the protest slogan "Woman, life, freedom." Yarrahi won the prize for best pop singer in 2018 at the Fajr festival, Iran's most important government-organized music event. But he has criticized authorities in recent years. Another of his songs, "Soroode Zan" or "Woman's Anthem," became popular among the protest movement, particularly in universities. The judiciary said the new legal action would also cover this song. Yarrahi has also criticized what he says is the marginalization of people in his native Khuzestan province, which has a large Arab minority.

Irish-born singer Sinead O'Connor has died at the age of 56. The musician was best known for her hit single "Nothing Compares 2 U." In a statement cited by Irish broadcaster RTE, the singer's family said: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinead. Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time." O'Connor was propelled to worldwide fame by the Prince cover "Nothing Compares 2 U," which won the 1990 Billboard Music Awards for Best Single in the World. The string-accompanied ballad topped the music charts from Europe to Australia. She had already received critical acclaim for her first album, "The Lion and the Cobra," featuring her debut hit "Mandinka." The singer released 10 studio albums in all. Reaction to singer's passing Various political figures and celebrities have been paying tribute to the singer, with Ireland's President Michael D.Higgins saying: "What Ireland has lost at such a relatively young age is one of our greatest and most gifted composers, songwriters and performers of recent decades, one who had a unique talent and extraordinary connection with her audience, all of whom held such love and warmth for her."  Ireland's Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said O'Connor's "music was loved around the world and her talent was unmatched and beyond compare." Irish former UFC champion Conor McGregor said: "The world has lost an artist with the voice of an angel.   Ireland has lost an iconic voice and one of our absolute finest, by a long shot. And I have lost a friend. Sinead's music will live on and continue to inspire! Rest In Peace, Sinead you are home with your son I am sure." O'Connor had performed a stirring rendition of "Foggy dew" for the entrance of McGregor before one of his fights. Singer Tori Amos was among the musicians paying tribute and called her "a force of nature." "Such passion, such intense presence and a beautiful soul, who battled her own personal demons courageously," Amos said. "Be at peace dear Sinead, you will forever be in our hearts." Vociferous in social and political views The artist kept her head shaved in what she said was a response to music company bosses pressurizing her to be conventionally glamorous. Outspoken in her social and political views and regularly stirring up controversy, O'Connor was a lifelong non-conformist.  She described herself as a child "kleptomaniac" and was arrested several times before she was eventually sent to a church-run training facility where a sympathetic nun encouraged her to pursue music. "I suppose I've got to say that music saved me," she said in 2013. "It was either jail or music. I got lucky." O'Connor was a critic of the Catholic Church long before allegations of sexual abuse were widely reported and made headlines by tearing up a photo of Pope John Paul II in October 1992 while appearing on live television. When Pope Benedict XVI apologized to Ireland in 2010 to atone for decades of abuse, O'Connor condemned the apology saying it did not go far enough. She announced in 2018 that she had converted to Islam. The singer, who married four times, had a troubled personal life. She was open about mental health issues on social media, saying she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Her son, Shane, died last year aged 17 by suicide. O'Connor is survived by three of her children. 

Coco Lee, who was the first Chinese-descent singer to grace the Oscar stage in 2001, had been suffering from depression for a few years. She had fans around the world. Hong Kong-born American singer Coco Lee died on Wednesday after attempting to take her own life, her family announced.  The 48-year old had suffered depression in recent years, "but her condition has deteriorated drastically over the last few months,” Lee's sisters said in an Instagram post.  She attempted suicide over the weekend and was rushed to a hospital where she was in a coma.  "Although Coco sought professional help and did her best to fight the depression, sadly that demon inside of her took the better of her,” the statement said.  Lee died in Queen Mary Hospital in Hong Kong, where she had been living.  "We are thankful to God for giving us such a kind angel," her sisters wrote on Instagram.  Lee's career in music extended around 30 years. Who was Coco Lee? Lee, born in British-ruled Hong Kong on January 17, 1975, was a beloved personality in Asia for her vocal riffs and soulful ballads.  Her fluency in Cantonese, Mandarin and English helped Lee to have a fan base not only in Hong Kong, China and Taiwan, but also in Southeast Asian countries like Singapore and Malaysia, as well as Australia and the US. Lee was initially a Mandopop singer, and was hugely popular in the 1990s and 2000s. In 1996, her debut album "Coco Lee” became the best selling album of that year in Asia. She was the voice of heroine Fa Mulan in the Mandarin version of the Disney hit Mulan and also sang the Mandarin version of the movie's theme song "Reflection.” First Chinese to perform at Oscars In 1999, Lee debuted her first full English-language album, "Just No Other Way,"which featured more R&B-influenced hits like "Do You Want My Love".  From that album, "Before I Fall in Love" was chosen as the theme song for the Richard Gere and Julia Roberts rom-com "Runaway Bride." Lee performed one of her songs, "A Love before time” from the film "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” - at the 2001 Academy Awards, which made her the first Chinese descent singer to grace the Oscar stage.

Singer Gracyl Ropmay released the music album of Guwahati artiste Esha Das ‘I Can Fly’ on Saturday at Shillong Press Club here. Shot in Meghalaya, the music video was composed and sung by Esha who also wrote the lyrics. While releasing the album, Ropmay congratulated Esha to excel in the field of music further. The 4K video takes viewers on a  journey through the scenic landscapes of Meghalaya. Her father and producer Kishor Kumar Das assembled a talented team to bring Esha’s vision to life. Esha is a high school student from South Point School in Guwahati, whose passion for music is inspiring. She began composing and singing at the age of 9 and has since then dedicated herself to her craft. Esha said the song was composed when she was depressed and this has helped to uplift her mind. She hoped that this will  encourage the listeners to believe in themselves and their ability to overcome any obstacle. Her father said as a proud native of North East, Esha is committed to promoting North East tourism, which includes Meghalaya besides showcasing the rich socio-cultural heritage of the region by her music video. She has been promoting Meghalaya in almost all her videos both regional and English. Her music videos celebrate the beauty of Meghalaya’s natural landscapes, he said. In addition to “I Can Fly,” Esha had also released the popular video album “Never Let You Go,” which received airplay on London FM. Esha also has a Youtube channel “Esha Music” where all her music videos can be watched. Source: meghalayamonitor.com

India's eminent Rabindra Sangeet artiste Sumitra Sen has passed away. The artist, who suffered from Bronchopneumonia for a long time, passed away on Tuesday morning. She was 89 years old. Sumitra Sen was suffering from various problems related to old age for a long time. On December 21, 2022, she was diagnosed with Bronchopneumonia and was admitted to a private hospital in South Kolkata. The doctors said that complications arose in her body due to pneumonia. She was brought home last night after recovering somewhat. But this renowned Rabindra Sangeet artist died, making everyone cry at around four in the morning on Tuesday. Sumitra Sen is a known name in the world of Rabindra Sangeet. Her two daughters Indrani Sen and Srabani Sen have also made great contributions to the music world. Following in her mother's footsteps, her younger daughter Srabani Sen has also practiced Rabindra Sangeet. And Indrani Sen has left her mark in all kinds of songs.

Noted folk singer Fakir Alamgir, who emerged as Gono Sangeet (the songs of the masses) singer for his outstanding contributions to inspiring the people to join the country's 1971 Liberation War, passed away yesterday night. He breathed his last around 10:56 pm yesterday while undergoing treatment at Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Covid unit of the United Hospital in the city at the age of 71, according Alamgir's family sources. The prominent singer suffered a cardiac arrest around 10pm at the Covid unit of the hospital where he was undergoing treatment for coronavirus complications while duty doctor declared him dead at 10:56pm on Friday. He is survived by his wife and three sons. Born in Faridpur, Fakir Alamgir started his music career in 1966 and played a vital role as a singer in 1969 uprising in the then East Pakistan. He worked with Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra during the Liberation War and founded the cultural organization "Wrishiz Shilpi Gosthi" in 1976. He also served as the president of Gono Sangeet Shamanaya Parishad (GSSP).  As a writer, Alamgir published his first book 'Chena China' in 1984. His next two publications were Muktijuddher Smriti Bijoyer Gaan and Gono Sangeeter Otit O Bortoman. In 2013, he published three books - Amar Kotha, Jara Achhen Hridoy Potey and Smriti Alaponey Muktijuddho. So far, Alamgir authored nine books. The noted singer was awarded different awards, including Ekushey Padak, Bhashani Padak and Sequence Award of Honour. Source: BSS AH