Singer Shahed Ali no more

Singer Shaikh Shahed Ali, best known for “Rokzana”, died at 10:05am today, Friday, while undergoing treatment at Asgar Ali Hospital in Dhaka.

Confirming his death, Shahed Ali’s friend Ershadul Haque Tinku told that he died of multiple organ failure.

A familiar name in Bangladesh’s band music scene since the 1990s, Shahed had been seriously ill for several days.

He was admitted to hospital on October 24 after his blood sodium levels dropped. During treatment, he suffered a mild stroke and also tested positive for dengue.

As his condition deteriorated, he was moved to Square Hospital and subsequently to Asgar Ali Hospital. He had been undergoing regular dialysis for kidney complications for the past four years.

His illness had halted plans to release 24 songs developed over 11 years. The release, which was to include CDs, cassettes and vinyl records, had been scheduled for November 6.

The founder of Bangladeshi band The Gach, Shahed was known for songs including “Rokzana”, “Upolobdhi”, “Khola Chul” and “Prem Ashbei”. His debut album, “Probhu”, was released in 1991.