Papia Sarwar passes away at 72

Papia Sarwar, one of Bangladesh’s most revered singers, passed away at 72.

The celebrated artiste, who also received the prestigious Ekushey Padak, died on December 12, 2024.

Her husband, Sarwar Alam, confirmed the news.

Papia had been undergoing treatment, however, her condition worsened overnight and despite doctors placing her on ventilator support, she succumbed to her illness.

Papia Sarwar had been battling cancer for several years, and her health had been in decline in recent months.

She received treatment in various hospitals, including one in Dhaka’s Bashundhara Residential Area, before being transferred to a private hospital in Tejgaon.

Her body will be kept at the BIRDEM mortuary for the day.

After the Jumma prayers on December 13, 2024, her funeral will take place.

Papia Sarwar’s voice first graced the airwaves in 1967, when she became a listed artiste for both radio and television.

She later pursued her academic and musical ambitions, enrolling at the University of Dhaka to study Zoology while continuing her music training.

In 1973, she received a scholarship from the Government of India to study Rabindra Sangeet at Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan.

Her time at Santiniketan further enriched her understanding and mastery of Tagore’s music.

Her professional career took off with the release of her first album in 1982.

Sarwar became a beloved figure in the world of Rabindra Sangeet, and her renditions of Tagore’s songs were lauded for their emotional depth.

She also found success in modern Bangla music. Her song ‘Nai Telephone Nai Re Pion Nai Re Telegram’ became one of her most popular hits.

Despite her success in modern music, she was selective about the songs she chose to sing, preferring quality over quantity.

In recognition of her immense contributions to Bengali music, Sarwar received numerous accolades throughout her career.

In 2013, she was honoured with the Rabindra Award by the Bangla Academy, followed by the Bangla Academy Fellowship in 2015.

Her most significant honour came in 2021, when she was awarded the Ekushey Padak, one of Bangladesh’s highest civilian awards.

Papia Sarwar was also an active member of the National Rabindra Sangeet Sammilan Parishad.

She served as its General Secretary and later as a member of its Executive Committee.

In 1996, she founded Gitasudha, a musical ensemble that further contributed to the promotion of Rabindra Sangeet.

Papia Sarwar’s passing is a great loss to the music world, but her contributions to Bengali music will continue to resonate for future generations.

She is survived by her husband, Sarwar Alam, and their two daughters, Zara Sarwar and Jisha Sarwar.