Fakir Alamgir (21 February 1950 – 23 July 2021) was a Bangladeshi folk and pop singer.[1][2] He was awarded Ekushey Padak in 1999 by the Government of Bangladesh.[3][4]

Fakir Alamgir
ফকির আলমগীর
Alamgir in February 2014
Alamgir in February 2014
Background information
Born(1950-02-21)21 February 1950
East Bengal, Dominion of Pakistan (now in Bangladesh)
Died23 July 2021(2021-07-23) (aged 71)
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Years active1966–2021

Early life edit

After the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, he emerged as a Gono Sangeet (inspiration songs for the masses) singer. Some of his notable songs are "O Sokhina", "Shantahar", "Nelson Mandela", "Naam Tar Chhilo John Henry" and "Banglar Comrade Bondhu".[3]

Career edit

Alamgir started his music career in 1966. He played his role as a singer in 1969 uprising in East Pakistan.[5]

Alamgir worked with Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra during the liberation war in 1971.[6]

Alamgir was the founder of the cultural organization "Wrishiz Shilpi Gosthi" in 1976.[7] He served as the president of Gono Sangeet Shamanya Parishad (GSSP) .[citation needed]

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. He authored nine books.[8]

Death and legacy edit

On 14 July 2021, Alamgir was admitted to United Hospital in Dhaka with COVID-19 related complications.[9] He suffered a heart attack on 23 July while in ventilation at the COVID-19 unit and died on the same day.[10]

In 2023, Road No 6 of Chowdhurypara neighborhood in Khilgaon Thana in Dhaka was officially renamed as "Fakir Alamgir Road" by Atiqul Islam, the mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation.[11]

Works edit

  • Desh Deshantor
  • Shadhinota Sangram Laal Shobujer Potakay
  • Shongskritite Amader Muktijuddho
  • Mayer Mukh

Awards edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Fakir Alamgir's 67th birthday today". The Daily Star. 29 September 2019.
  2. ^ "Folk singer Fakir Alamgir no more". Dhaka Tribune. 23 July 2021. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Fakir Alamgir performs live on Rtv". The Daily Star. 25 February 2010. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  4. ^ একুশে পদকপ্রাপ্ত সুধীবৃন্দ [Ekushey Padak winners list] (in Bengali). Government of Bangladesh. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  5. ^ a b "Wrishij celebrates Fakir Alamgir's 40 years in music". The Daily Star. 1 August 2005. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  6. ^ "Bangladeshi folk music icon Fakir Alamgir dies of COVID aged 71". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  7. ^ Harun ur Rashid (23 February 2005). "Fakir Alamgir: A singer of the masses". The Daily Star. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  8. ^ "Fakir Alamgir turns to fine print". The Daily Star. 16 February 2013. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  9. ^ "Fakir Alamgir: Voice for the oppressed falls silent". The Daily Star. 24 July 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  10. ^ চলে গেলেন গণসংগীত শিল্পী ফকির আলমগীর. Bangladarpan (in Bengali). 24 July 2021. Archived from the original on 23 July 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  11. ^ "Khilgaon street named in honour of Fakir Alamgir". The Daily Star. 23 July 2023. Retrieved 28 August 2023.

External links edit