Legendary Singer Firoza Begum's 12th death anniv today

Legendary singer Firoza Begum, widely regarded as one of the most influential voices in Nazrul Sangeet, is being remembered today on her death anniversary.

Born in 1930 in Ghonapara under Kashiani upazila of Faridpur, Firoza Begum began her musical journey at the age of eight. While still in school, she auditioned for All India Radio and joined as a child artiste, marking the beginning of a career that would span more than seven decades.

Although best known for her Nazrul Sangeet, Firoza Begum also excelled in modern Bengali songs, ghazals, qawwali, bhajan, hamd-nat, light classical and Rabindra Sangeet.

Her recordings helped bring the works of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam to a much wider audience and played a major role in popularising the genre.

She trained under musicians including Chitta Roy and Kamal Dasgupta, whom she later married. Dasgupta, a noted composer and close associate of Nazrul, worked alongside her in promoting and preserving the poet’s musical legacy.

Firoza Begum’s contribution extended beyond singing. Following Nazrul’s illness, she played an important role in preserving notation for his songs. Her notation work was published in West Bengal in 1960, and she later supplied 100 Nazrul songs in notation to Bangla Academy, besides contributing to other institutions.

She also took Bengali music and Nazrul Sangeet to international audiences, performing in countries including India, the United States, Canada, Australia, Britain, Scotland and China. She is credited with taking part in around 380 solo concerts during her career.

Her contribution to music earned her Bangladesh’s highest civilian honour, the Independence Award, as well as the Ekushey Padak and numerous other national and international recognitions. She also participated in charity concerts supporting hospitals and cancer treatment centres.

Firoza Begum died in Dhaka on September 9, 2014, at the age of 84. Twelve years after her death, her recordings continue to keep her distinctive voice and Nazrul Sangeet legacy alive among generations of Bengali music lovers.