Ayub Bachchu laid to rest in Chattogram amid outpouring of love, tribute

Rock musician Ayub Bachchu was buried in his family’s graveyard in Chattogram, his hometown.

People from all walks of life -- cultural activists to politicians -- took part in his last namaz-e-janaza at the port city’s Jamiatul Falah Mosque on Saturday.

Thousands of fans bid an emotional farewell to the beloved singer at his funeral in Purba Madarbari, his ancestral home.

One of the bereaved fans was Md Ali, a childhood friend to Bachchu. He stood quietly beside a memorial banner with a portrait of the singer, as the funeral venue was teeming with people.

“Bachchu was from Enayet Bazar, Kumar Biswajit was from Alkoron and I came from Firingibazar. We studied in different schools, but we were friends and our friendship deepened with music,” he told bdnews24.com, recalling his childhood memories.

“We used to sing at weddings, birthdays and many other events all night across the city. At that time, we were 13 to 14 years of age.”

The friendship continued to the very last moment, he said.

Subrata Barua Ronny, a member of musical band Souls, said he was struggling to come to terms with his death.

One of the youngest fans was 10-year-old Hridoy, who was seen standing in the crowd. The clock ticked past 4pm and the door to the mortuary ambulance was closed. Hridoy felt dejected as he could not see his beloved singer for one last time.

Countless others flocked to social media networks after the news of his death, mourning the loss of an icon in music.

Bachchu died of a heart attack in Dhaka on Thursday, at the age of 60. On Friday, his body was taken to the Shaheed Minar and kept there for two hours for people to pay their last respects.

Leaders of political, social and cultural organisations waited in long queues alongside Bachchu’s fans to pay tribute to the iconic guitarist and singer.

The first funeral prayer for Bachchu was held at the Eidgah in Dhaka, before he was flown to the port city of Chattogram.