The nation bid a solemn farewell to eminent singer Farida Parveen, who passed away after prolonged illness. On Sunday, her body was brought to the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka, where people from all walks of life gathered to pay their last respects to the iconic artiste, widely revered as the “Queen of Lalon Songs.”

At around noon, her body was taken to the Shaheed Minar premises, where admirers, cultural activists, colleagues, and well-wishers joined together to offer flowers and prayers. The scene reflected the deep respect and affection she earned over decades of dedication to music, particularly for her outstanding contribution in popularizing Lalon songs both at home and abroad.

Following the tribute, her body was moved to the central mosque of Dhaka University. After the Zuhr prayers, her namaz-e-janaza was held at the mosque premises with hundreds in attendance, including family, friends, and admirers. Her son, Imam Nahil Suman, informed the media that the body would later be taken to Kushtia, her hometown, for burial beside her parents’ graves in the municipal cemetery.

Farida Parveen had been battling multiple health complications in recent months. She suffered from kidney disease, diabetes, and related ailments that forced her into hospital care several times this year. On September 2, she was admitted to Universal Medical College Hospital in Mohakhali as her condition worsened. Doctors immediately shifted her to the Intensive Care Unit due to critical organ failures. Within days, her health continued to deteriorate.

According to family sources, her kidneys and brain had stopped functioning properly, while a severe blood infection spread rapidly throughout her body. Despite relentless medical efforts, her condition declined sharply. On Sunday morning, doctors removed life support, and at approximately 10:15 a.m., she breathed her last.

Farida Parveen’s passing marks the end of a golden era in Bangladeshi folk music. Known for her mesmerizing voice and soulful rendition of mystic bard Lalon Shah’s songs, she carved out a unique place in the cultural landscape of the country. Over the decades, she not only safeguarded the heritage of Lalon songs but also gave them renewed life, making them accessible to new generations.

Her admirers remember her as a cultural icon who upheld the philosophy of humanity, spirituality, and harmony through music. With a career spanning more than four decades, she received numerous awards and honors, both nationally and internationally, for her contribution to music and culture.

Even in her final days, she remained a symbol of dignity, strength, and dedication to her art. Her death leaves a void in the cultural world of Bangladesh that is unlikely to be filled easily.

As the nation mourns, tributes continue to pour in from across the country and abroad, reflecting the magnitude of her influence. From cultural activists to ordinary listeners, the grief is shared by all who found solace and inspiration in her songs.

After the funeral rites in Dhaka, Farida Parveen’s final journey to Kushtia will fulfill her family’s wish to lay her to rest beside her parents. There, amid the soil of her birthplace, the legendary voice will find eternal peace, leaving behind an immortal legacy of music and devotion.