PM mourns death of noted folk singer Fakir Alamgir

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of 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.

In a condolence message, the premier said, “His role to make Gono Sangeet popular specially in the field of the country’s music will remain memorable.”

She prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family.

Fakir Alamgir breathed his last around 10:56 pm on Friday (July 23) while undergoing treatment at Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Covid unit of the United Hospital in the city at the age of 71.

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.

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 Shamanya 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.