Bashir Ahmed no more

Popular singer Bashir Ahmed is no more.

He died late on Saturday in his home at the ripe age of 74, said son-in-law Masud Iqbal.

Born at Kolkata in 1940, Bashir started off with classical music when 15, but it is his songs in films that endeared him to millions.

Bashir was honoured with scores of awards including the National Film Awards in his lifetime.

His wife Meena Bashir is a leading singer and both his daughter Humayra and son Raja Bashir have done music albums.

Hailing from a Delhi-based family, Bashir had his early lessons in classical music from Ustad Belayet Hussain of Kolkata.

Then he moved to Bombay where he was tutored by the legendary Bade Ghulam Ali Khan.
He moved to Dhaka in 1960.

He made his debut in films by composing songs for "Sagar" before he turned to playback singing.

In 1964 his song "Jab Tum Akela Hoge, Tab Hum Yad Ayenge' for film 'Karowan' was a hit across Pakistan.

But it was his songs in Bengali film 'Darshan' in 1967 that turned out to be hit and made him hugely popular.

"Sabai Amay Premik Bole', 'Dekho Na Amare Tumi', 'Ogo Priyotoma', 'Khunje Khunje Janam Gelo' and 'Ghum Sudhu Chhilo Duti Nayane' are some of his memorable hits.