Bhawaiya legend Sharifa Rani passes away

Legendary Bhawaiya singer Sharifa Rani has passed away today at 10 am, in a private hospital at capital's Shyamoli. The news of her passing was confirmed to the media by the deceased's relative, reporter Ali Akhtar Golam Kibria. She was 73.

Born on June 9, 1950, she was a native of Rangpur upazila. She received her undergraduate degree from Rajshahi University in Bangla and her masters from Dhaka University. After settling down in Dhaka with her engineer husband, Sharifa left her career of singing for radio and TV, around 1977-78.

Her songs which had been published before the Liberation War, reached immense popularity for their folk roots and her extraordinary voice. Iconic songs like, "Kanichato Garinu Akashi Akali" was widely beloved when it was released in Rangpur Betar.

Her other notable songs are, "Baokata Batash Jeno Ghuriya Ghuriya More", "Bandhu Kajal Bhomra Re", "O ki Gariyal Bhai" and many more. Her songs made her a legend in the Bhawaiya community.