Begum Hasina Momtaz, a renowned singer from the 1960s breathed her last on Sunday at the city’s Japan Bangladesh Friendship Hospital. She was 79.
She suffered a cardiac failure around 6:30pm, read a press release.
Begum Hasina Momtaz was a student at the Department of Geography, University of Dhaka, and gained prominence as a cultural activist and singer since 1970.
Momtaz’s husband Late Rafiqul Islam was a renowned banker and served as the managing director of National Bank ltd. She is survived by her only son Professor Shibli Rubayat-Ul-Islam, who was the former dean, Faculty of Business Studies, University of Dhaka, and now serves as the chairman of Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC).
She is also survived by her daughter-in-law, Shenin Rubayat, two grandsons and numerous relatives, friends, and admirers.
Her Namaz e Janaza will be held Monday at Eidgah Mosque at Dhanmondi 6/A after Zuhr prayers.
She is remembered for many of her songs, including “ তন্দ্রাহারা নয়ন আমার…”. She also inspired the nation during the mass movement of 1969 and the liberation war in 1971 with her songs. Bangladesh Shilpokola Academy recognised her significant accomplishments as a singer by awarding her “Shilpokola Award” in 2019.
She is the mother of the BSEC Chairman Pro Shibli.
