Renowned music director, lyricist and freedom fighter Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul has passed away at the age of 63.
He breathed his last during the early hours on Tuesday (Jan 22) at his own residence in Dhaka's Aftabnagar area.
Singer Dinat Jahan Munni said that Bulbul was taken to Mohakhali's Universal Medical College Hospital when his health deteriorated around 4am on Tuesday.
Emergency unit doctors there pronounced him dead upon arrival, she added.
Hospital spokesperson Samia Akter told Bangla Tribune Bulbul breathed his last either on the way to the hospital or at his home.
Bulbul’s body will be taken to the capital’s Central Shaheed Minar on Wednesday (Jan 23) at 11 pm.
The musician will be kept there till 12 noon where people can pay their last respects to their beloved icon.
After that his namaaz-e-janaza will be held at the central mosque at Dhaka University after the Duhr prayers, said Sommilito Sangskritik Jote President Golam Kuddus.
He will be buried at the Intellectual Martyrs Graveyard in Mirpur after the Asr prayer, singer Kumar Biswajit told Bangla Tribune.
“It was Ahmed Bulbul’s last wish to be buried at the Martyred Intellectuals' Graveyard at Dhaka's Mirpur,” Biswajit said.
He added that Bulbul will be given the guard of honour before being laid to rest.
Earlier in the day, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in separate condolence messages expressed profound sorrow and shock at the musician’s death.
Since the late 70’s Bulbul actively contributed to the country’s music industry. He is the recipient of highest state honours such as Ekushey Padak, National Film Award and the President Award among many other accolades.
The songs composed by him include "Shob Lota Janala Khule Deo Na", "Shundar Shubarno Tarunyo Labonyo", "Uttar Dakshin Purbo Poshchim", "O Amar Aat Koti Phul", "O Majhi Nao Chhaira De".
In 1971, he participated in the country’s Liberation War at the age of 15.