Thousands of fans pay last respects to singer Subir Nandi

Thousands of fans, well-wishers, relatives, fellow musicians and artistes have paid their last respects to celebrated Bangladeshi singer Subir Nandi, who had immense love and lifelong dedication to music.

The remains of Nandi were taken to the Centeal Shaheed Minar in Dhaka and kept there for an hour from 11am on Wednesday for fans, political leaders, cultural activists and general people to pay their tribute.

The singer died at the age of 66 while undergoing treatment at Singapore General Hospital early on Tuesday. His mortal remains were brought back to home early on Wednesday.

Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbub-Ul Alam Hanif, Information Minister Hasan Mahmud, Dhaka University VC Prof Md Akhtaruzzaman, Dhaka Medical College Hospital's Burn and Plastic Surgery Chief Coordinator Samanta Lal Sen were present at the Sammilita Sangskritik Jote's event to pay their final respects to Nandi.

Cultural activist Ramendu Majumdar, Sammilita Sangskritik Jote's President Golam Kuddus, composer  Rafiquzzaman,  musician Kumar Bishawjit, Andrew Kishore, Rabi Chowdhury, Fakir Alamgir and Nakib Khan paid their respects to Nandi.

Nandi's wife Purabi and his daughter Falguni were also present at Central Shaheed Minar .

Falguni could not hold back her tears while speaking to media. “My father always took care of us. We were more valuable to him than his life. A little trouble of mine was a big trouble for him," she said.

"He was a mentor to me until his last breath. He taught me how to struggle. I observed his struggles during the last few days. Now I am feeling that it is possible to lead my life without his support which he taught when he was ill," Falguni said recalling the singer's last days in Singapore.

"Not only as a singer, Subir Nandi was popular to all also as a great human being. I never saw any artist in Bangladesh who can say that they had a little fight with Nandi. He was loved by everyone and was exactly what 'an artist' should be like," noted Rabindra Sangeet singer Rezwana Choudhury Bannya said.

"He just left us suddenly and without giving us any scope to be prepared for that. I never imagined his demise in this manner." 

His contemporary singer Rafiqul Alam added: "Subir Nandi was one of the rare musicians in Bangladesh who has left us in such a successful way with a lifelong dedication to music. I hope his music lives on among the future generations. The nation will miss him forever."

"People love him due to his commitment, sacrifice and respect to music. He had immense love to music," artist Rathindranath Roy said.

'His death is a great loss for modern Bangla music in our country. He used to feel every beat of music and enjoy its flavour. He poured out all his love for music.

"I hope he will forever remain in the hearts of the people for his outstanding creations,” Ramendu Majumdar said.

FOR LAST TIME AT THE BFDC

The body of Subir Nandi was taken to the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation, or BFDC, premises for the final time to pay tribute to the singer.

Bangladesh Film Directors' Association President Mushfiqur Rahman Gulzar,  Secretary General Badiul Alam Khokon, actor Alamgir, Omar Sani, Joy Chaudhury, Aruna Biswas, film director Sohanur Rahman Sohan, Shah Alam Kiran and Gazi Mahbub paid their respects to Nandi.

Actor Alamgir said, "I knew him before his debut in music. His death is a great loss for our industry. I pray for him that he remains well wherever he is now."

"He was an artist. It may not be possible to find people who did not like his music. He is such a nice creation of God. He inspired our nation to listen to good music," actress Aruna Biswas said.

The body of Nandi was taken to the Borodeshwari Kali Temple's crematorium in Sobujbag via the Ramakrishna Mission for the last rites.