Renowned singer Shahnaz Begum passes away

ISLAMABAD: Renowned singer Shahnaz Begum passed away in Dhaka on Sunday after suffering a cardiac arrest at the age of 67. She was born on 2nd January, 1952 in Dhaka.

Shahnaz sang for Bangladeshi and Pakistani films. She was best known for singing ‘Sohni Dharti Allah Rakhay’ and ‘Jeevay Jeevay Pakistan.’ During her monumentally influential years as a singer in 1960s and 1970s, Shahnaz tremendously impressed the new generation through her superfluous songs. She is survived by her husband and two children. Her funeral was held Sunday in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

A recipient of the Ekushey Padak in 1992 and Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for the film Chhutir Phande (1990), Shahnaz emerged as a singer in Dhaka in the mid-1960s and 1970s.

Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain on Sunday expressed deep grief and sorrow over the sad demise of famous singer Shahnaz Begum.

In a statement the minister said national songs sung by the legendary singer including ‘Sohni Dharti Allah Rakhe’ and ‘Jeevay Jeevay Pakistan’ have become precious part of our national heritage. The songs sung by the late singer were equally popular among the new generation, he added. He said that she would always be remembered for her melodious songs. He prayed to Almighty Allah to rest her soul in eternal peace and grant courage to the bereaved family to bear this loss with fortitude.