Remembering Shahnaz Rahmatullah

Ekushay Padak and National Award winning singer Shahnaz Rahmatullah charmed audiences with her magical voice for decades. Besides voicing numerous patriotic and modern songs, she was a revered playback singer during her illustrious and successful career. Today marks the 69th birthday of this legendary singer, who passed away in 2019.

Born on January 2, 1952 in a family of artistes, she received her initial training in music and arts from her family members. Trailing along the footsteps of her brothers -- renowned musician Anwar Parvez, and popular actor and singer Zafar Iqbal, she recorded her first playback number only at the age of 10 for the film "Notun Shur". 

She trained under "Shahenshah-e-Ghazal", Mehdi Hassan Khan.

Three of the legendary singer's recorded songs were included in the list of 20 greatest Bangla songs of all times by BBC, which is a record. The songs are "Ek Nodi Rokto Periye", "Ek Baar Jete De Na Amar Chotto Shobar Gaaye", and "Ektara Tui Desher Kotha Bolre Ebar Bol".

Shahnaz Rahmatullah's first song aired on Bangladesh Television in 1968. Her other notable releases include "Amar Desher Matir Gondhe", "Amai Jodi Proshno Kore", "Shagorer Teer Theke", "Manik Shey Toh Manik Noy", "Pari Na Bhule Jete", "Khola Janala", and "Phuler Kane Bhromor Eshe", among numerous others. She has also voiced Urdu songs under the direction of well acclaimed music composers both home and abroad.

The singer breathed her last on March 23, 2019 at her Baridhara residence. Today, she lives on through her evergreen songs.