Singer Anup Bhattacharya no more

GBNEWS24 DESK//

Freedom fighter and Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra artiste Anup Bhattacharya passed away at a city hospital around 7:30pm yesterday. He was 77.

His son-in-law Sudip Chakroborthy told The Daily Star that he got admitted to the capital’s Asgar Ali Hospital with age-related complications before he breathed his last.

The legendary artiste had long suffered from lung problems, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Sudip said, “His only regret was that he did not get his due respect from the authorities regarding his Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra artiste status. Even two days ago, he expressed his grief over the issue.”

Born in Sylhet’s Zakiganj, Anup’s musical career began in the 60’s, as a singer at the Rajshahi station of the then Radio Pakistan.

He had worked as a composer and music director at Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra during the Liberation War.

His voice is present in liberation songs including “Teer Hara Ei Dheu-er Sagor”, “Rokto Diye Naam Likhhechhi”, “Purbo Digonte”, and “Nongor Tolo Tolo”.

Later in his career, Anup emerged as a composer with immensely popular songs like “Baishakhi Megher Kachhey Jol Cheye”, “Shuk Pakhi Rey Pinjira Tor”, “Ekattorer Juddher Diney”, “Pakhi Janey Na Keno Kandey”, “Lalon Tomar Aarshinagar”, and “Notey Gachh Moraeye Na”, among more than 100 songs in his illustrious career.

Anup had worked with names like Andrew Kishore, Mitali Mukherji, Rafiqul Alam, Dilruba Khan, and Samina Chowdhury, among many others.

He is considered to be one of the forerunners of Bangladesh’s “adhunik” genre.

The artiste, whose last rites will take place in Dhaka today, is survived by two daughters