Shahnaz Rahmatullah (; 2 January 1952 – 23 March 2019) was a Bangladeshi singer. Her notable songs are ''Ekbar Jete De Na Amar Chotto Sonar Gaye'', ''Je Chilo Drishtir Shimanay'' and ''Ek Tara Tui Desher Kotha''. She was the recipient of the

Ekushey Padak Ekushey Padak ( bn, একুশে পদক; lit. "Twentyfirst Award") is the second highest civilian award in Bangladesh, introduced in memory of the martyrs of the Bengali Language Movement of 1952. The award is given to recognize contribut ...

in 1992 and Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for the film ''Chhutir Phande'' (1990).

Background

Shahnaz Rahmatullah with her brother Zafar Iqbal

Rahmatullah was born on 2 January 1952 as Shahnaz Begum in Dhaka to M Fazlul Haq and Asiya Haq. Actor Zafar Iqbal and music director Anwar Parvez were Rahmatullah's brothers. She got trained by ghazal maestro Mehedi Hassan, Ustad Phul Mohammad, Ustad Munir Hossain and

Altaf Mahmud Altaf Mahmud ( bn, আলতাফ মাহমুদ; 23 December 1933 – September 1971) was a musician, cultural activist, and martyred freedom fighter of the Bangladesh Liberation War. He was also a language activist of the Language Movement ...

. Rahmatullah was married to Maj (retd) Abul Bashar Rahmatullah.

Career

Rahmatullah debuted in singing at the age of 11, as a playback singer for the film ''Notun Sur'' (1963). She first performed on television in 1964. She sang in Bangladeshi and Pakistani films. She mostly sang modern (''Adhunik Gaan'') and patriotic songs. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, she sang patriotic songs such as ''Sohni Dharti Allah Rakhe'' and ''Jeevay Jeevay Pakistan''. She released an album with

Samina Chowdhury Samina Chowdhury (born 28 August 1966) is a Bangladeshi singer. She mostly sings modern and classical songs. Her notable songs include ''Jonmo Theke Jolchi Mago'', ''Amar Buker Moddhyekhane'', ''Amar Dui Chokhe Dui Nodi'', ''Ekbar Jodi Keu'', '' ...

called ''Megh Roddur'' on which she sang six songs composed by Shafiq Tuhin. She released four albums in total. Four of Rahmatullah's songs were selected in a BBC survey of 20 greatest Bangla songs of all times. Rahmatullah died on 23 March 2019 of a heart attack at her residence in

Baridhara Baridhara ( bn, বারিধারা) is an upscale residential area in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is located on the east of and north east of Gulshan across Gulshan-Baridhara Lake. It has special zones designated for diplomats, and many of the ...

, aged 67. Pakistani journalist,

Hamid Mir Hamid Mir ( ur, حامد میر; born 23 July 1966) is a Pakistani journalist, columnist and writer. Born in Lahore to a journalistic family, Mir initially worked as a journalist with Pakistani newspapers. He has hosted the political talk show ' ...

said, "Shahnaz Begum passed away in Bangladesh on March 23 when many Pakistanis were listening to her famous song Sohni Dharti Allah Rakhay on Pakistan day."

Works

;Films * Notun Sur (1962) *

Abar Tora Manush Ho ''Abar Tora Manush Ho'' ( bn, আবার তোরা মানুষ হ) is a 1973 Bangladeshi film starring Maruf Ahmed, Bobita, Farooque and Raisul Islam Asad. Khan Ataur Rahman earned both Best Film and Best Director Award at Bangladesh N ...

(1973) * Ghuddi (1975) ;Albums * Badal Diner Pakhi

Film songs

songs for Television

Awards

* President's Pride of Performance Medal (1965) *

(1992) * Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer (1990) * Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Award * Bangladesh Chalachitra Sangbadik Samity Award

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Rahmatullah, Shahnaz 1952 births 2019 deaths People from Dhaka 20th-century Bangladeshi women singers 20th-century Bangladeshi singers Bangladeshi playback singers Best Female Playback Singer National Film Award (Bangladesh) winners Recipients of the Ekushey Padak Burials at Banani Graveyard Recipients of the Pride of Performance