Happy birthday, Sabina Yasmin 

Today marks the birthday of Sabina Yasmin, one of the legendary singers of Bangladesh. Best known as a playback singer, the National Film Award-winning artiste has already lent her vocal to more than 10000 songs in her career. Coming from a culturally rich family, Sabina won the hearts of millions of audiences with her melodious singing style.  

“I will spend my birthday at home. I do not have any special plan for my birthday. There will be a small gathering of my close friends and family members at my home. Maybe, we will cut a cake together and have a small party,” Sabia told The Business Post when asked about her plans for her birthday. 

When asked about her childhood memories regarding her birthday, she said, “We used to hold a birthday party at our house. Sometimes, we used to go outside to eat something special on birthdays. Actually, all memories of my childhood are very beautiful and every birthday in my childhood was beautiful too.”

As a child artiste, she began singing for films, radio, television, and gramophone recordings. Rising to prominence in the music industry in the late 1970s and early 1980s, she enthralled the listeners with her song in both Bangladesh and India.

Her first song was in a Zahir Raihan’s film, titled ‘Agun Niye Khela’. She sang the song titled ‘Modhu Jochnar Dipali’ for this film. But her third playback song titled ‘Shudhu Gaan Geye Porichoy’ with Altaf Mahmud was a major hit. Since then, she didn’t have to look back. 

Following the hit track ‘Shudhu Gaan Gaye Porichoy,’ her songs with Khan Ataur Rahman, such as ‘Eki Shonar Aloy Jibon Voriye Dile’ and ‘Osru Diye Lekha,’ were also well received by the audience. Many of the songs in her voice gained popularity after the Liberation War of Bangladesh.

Over the years, she has worked with several best composers, including legendary RD Burman, in Bangladesh and India.

Sabina received numerous prestigious awards for her contributions to the country’s music industry, including the Independence Day Award, Ekushey Padak, National Film Award, and others. 

Sabina Yasmin was born to Lutfur Rahman and Mouluda Khatun in 1953. She was the youngest among her siblings Farida, Fowzia and Niloufer. 

Once a busy singer, Sabina Yasmin is now rarely seen in front of a microphone. She said, “ Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, films are not being made and released like before. So, the chances of playback singing are declining. Another reason is that social cinemas we used to sing for are not being produced now. That’s why I am not regular in playback.”

When asked about whether she listens to the songs of the artistes from the current generation, she replied that she doesn’t listen to the music of this generation that much. Sabina Yasmin said, “Nowadays new songs are released on YouTube. But I do not watch YouTube that much. Sometimes, I enjoy songs on the radio or television. So, I do not have any particular singer from the current generation whom I like.”  

“But I do like to work with the singers and composers of this generation. Recently, I have worked with several young composers, including Rajesh Ghosh and Sumon Kallyan.” 

Sabina Yasmin lent her voice to the song titled ‘Duti Chokhe Chilo Kichu Nirob Kotha’ for the film titled ‘Ei Tumi Sei Tumi’ directed by the late actress and producer Kabari. She rendered the song in September last year. Apart from this song, Sabina Yasmin has also composed four songs for Kabari’s film ‘Ei Tumi Sei Tumi’. 

“I just want to continue singing in the coming days whenever I get an opportunity. I do not have any specific plans for my singing career. I just want to keep going,” the celebrated singer shared that she has no particular plans for the future days of her music career.