Ekushey Padak-winning singer Mahbuba Rahman laid to rest in Dhaka

Mahbuba Rahman, the Ekushey Padak-winning singer whose voice helped shape the early soundscape of Bangladesh’s film and radio music, has been laid to rest at the Martyred Intellectuals’ Graveyard in Mirpur, marking the end of a life steeped in artistic legacy.

Her burial on Friday followed funeral prayers held in Moghbazar after Jummah, her daughter Rumana Islam confirmed.

The celebrated singer died on Thursday evening while undergoing treatment at LabAid Hospital in Dhaka. She was 92.

Rumana, herself a singer, said her mother had long been suffering from age-related complications.

Yet even as tributes poured in from sections of the cultural community, the absence of an official state condolence drew pointed criticism.

Foad Nasser Babu, a leading figure of the band Feedback, expressed disappointment over what he described as a break from longstanding precedent.

“Usually, the government expresses condolences on the death of nationally honoured artistes, and the relevant ministry also responds officially. But in the case of Mahbuba, there has been no such initiative,” he said.

Describing her as the most senior singer to have passed away in recent times, Babu added: “She’s left us. Now there’s nothing left to offer her except respect and prayers. I don’t know why this hasn’t happened.”

Film actress Jharna Basak, better known as Shabnam, composer and music director Sheikh Sadi Khan, and filmmaker Matin Rahman were among those who expressed their grief at her passing.

Born in Chattogram in 1935, Mahbuba began her musical journey early, performing on Dhaka’s All India Radio at just 12 years of age.

In the late 1950s, she married filmmaker Khan Ataur Rahman and went on to become one of the most recognisable voices in radio and cinema through the 1950s to the 1970s, earning acclaim for her versatility in both folk and modern songs.

She gained widespread recognition with “Moner Bone Dola Lage”, composed by Samar Das, featured in “Mukh O Mukhosh”, Bangladesh’s first full-length talking film.

Her repertoire includes enduring songs such as “Nirala Raat Prothom Prohore” and “Tomake Bhalobese Obosheshe Ki Pelam”, while her playback work spans films including "Saat Bhai Champa", “Jago Hua Savera”, “Ashia,” “E Desh Tomar Amar”, “Je Nodi Marupathe”, “Kokhono Aseni”, “Surjasnan”, “Sonar Kajal”, “Raja Santashi”, “Nawab Sirajuddaula”, and “Saat Bhai Champa”.