Bulbul Mahalanobish (10 March 1953 – 14 July 2023) was a Bangladeshi Nazrul Geeti singer, poet, author, musician, and stage performer. She was a singer at Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, the radio broadcasting centre of Bengali nationalist forces during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971.[1]

Bulbul Mahalanobish
বুলবুল মহলানবীশ
Born(1953-03-10)10 March 1953
Died14 July 2023(2023-07-14) (aged 70)
Dhaka, Bangladesh
NationalityBangladeshi
Alma materUniversity of Dhaka

Early life and career

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Bulbul Mahalanobish was born in Bikrampur on 10 March 1953. She graduated from the University of Dhaka.[1]

Beside her songs, Mahalanobish also played the lead female character, the role of Yahya Khan' s wife, at Jallader Darbar, a radio play written by Kalyan Mitra for Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra.[2][3] On 16 December 1971, the victory day of Bangladesh, Mahalanobish sang the song "Bijoy Nishan Urchhe Oi" on the radio station.[4]

Mahalanobish published two studio albums and authored 12 books during her career.[1] She served as the vice president of Nazrul Sangeet Shilpi Parishad and general secretary of Rabindra Academy.[5] She also served as the finance secretary of Jatiya Kabita Parishad, member of Member of Bangladesh Rabindra Sangeet Shilpi Sangshad, Kochikachar Mela, Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi, Sector Commanders' Forum, Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra Shilpi Parishad and publication secretary of Bangladesh-India Friendship Society.[5]

Mahalanobish died at her residence in Gulshan neighborhood in Dhaka on 14 July 2023, at the age of 70. Her funeral was held at Borderswari Kalimata Temple in Sabujbagh.[4] Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, mourned her death, saying "Bulbul Mahalanobis was simultaneously a poet, author, singer, recitalist, actor and presenter of art-literary-cultural programmes at the television and radio. She was one of the important personalities in the cultural arena."[6]

Mahalanobish's niece Joita Mahalanobish is an actress.[5]

Awards

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  • Chayan Gold Medal
  • Dewan Azraf Foundation Award
  • Nazrul Academy Award from West Bengal[1]
  • Ambassador's Award for playing an integral role in the cultural practice of Bangladeshis in the United Arab Emirates.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Two stalwarts of Swadhin Bangla Betar pass on". The Daily Star. 14 July 2023. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  2. ^ Khan, Zahed (23 December 2015). "Swadhin Bangla Betar spirit returns with Bulbul Mahalanobish". The Daily Star. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  3. ^ "Singer Bulbul Mahalanobish passes away". banglanews24.com (in Bengali). 14 July 2023. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Last respects paid to Bulbul Mahalanobish". New Age. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d "Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra singer Bulbul Mahalanobish no more". Risingbd.com. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  6. ^ "PM mourns death of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra singer Bulbul Mahalanobis | News". BSS. Retrieved 18 July 2023.