Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)-Indian High Commissioner Pankaj Saran conveyed his deep condolence on the death of Feroza Begum, the maestro of Nazrul Sangeet in Bangladesh.
“I convey my deepest condolences on the sad demise of Feroza Begum. Feroza Begum was a great exponent of Nazrul Geeti and ruled the hearts of music lovers not only in Bangladesh but also India for almost seven decades,” said a message sent by the high commissioner.
Feroza Begum, an Independence Day Award recipient, breathed her last Tuesday night at Apollo Hospitals in Dhaka. She was suffering from various complications, including heart and kidney problems.
“She will always be remembered for her pioneering and legendary contribution to the field of music and the arts. In her demise, the cultural world of the sub-continent has lost one of its greatest icons,” the message added.
Rankaj also prayed for peace of the departed soul and for strength to her family, friends and admirers to bear the irreparable loss.
Hundreds of people thronged Central Shaheed Minar Wednesday to pay their last tribute to the Nazrul Sangeet maestro of the subcontinent.
The legendary singer will be buried at Banani Graveyard after her namaz-e-janaza at Gulshan Azad Mosque after Asr prayer.
In recognition of her contribution, Feroza Begum was honoured with the ‘Independence Day Award’ in 1979 and the ‘Sheltech Award’ in 2000.
She recorded her first Islamic song by Gramophone record company in 1942. She lived in Kolkata from 1954 until she moved to Dhaka in 1967.
BBN/ASI/AD-10Sept14-4:30pm (BST)