The Ekushey Padak winning folk singer Abdur Rahman Boyati died at 7.30 AM on Monday at a city hospital after suffering from old age complications. He was 74.
He was under treatment at the intensive care unit of Japan Bangladesh Friendship Hospital when the end came. The iconic mystic singer spent his life in the search for the Creator.
On April 24, he was admitted to the hospital with serious neurological and urological problems, he suffered for last 10 years.
JBFH gave free treatment to the ailing singer for last few years, its official Sharifa Sultan told New Age.
Rahman Boyati is survived by six children.
‘His body has been kept at the BIRDEM mortuary.
Today his body will be kept at the Central Shaheed Minar from 11 AM to 12 midday for public viewing,’ said son Alam Rahman.
His first namaz-e janaza will be held at the Dhaka University mosque after the Zohr prayer.
His second namaz-e janaza will be held at the mosque near his residence Mirdhabari at Matuail.
Following his third namaz-e janaza at the Doyaganj mosque after the asr prayer, he will be buried beside his parents’ graves at Doyaganj Panchayet Graveyard according to his last wishes, said his son.
Born on January 1 in 1939 at Doyaganj in Old Dhaka, Boyati started taking lessons in mystic songs at an early stage.
He learnt mystique songs, known for seeking union with the Creator, from mystic bard Alauddin Boyati.
For the mystics human body is the vehicle for union with the Creator.
Rahman Bayati was the most spiritual musician of Bangladesh.
He adored mystic philosophy throughout his life.
Rahman Bopyati’s signature song, ‘Mon amar dehoghori sandhan kori kon mistori banaiyase, composed by Alauudin Boyati, earned him millions of fans.
Ever since his first performance at a local concert in 1956 at the age of 17, Abdur Rahman Boyati never looked back.
His powerful presence enriched the country’s traditional music.
His unique style of presentation endeared him to countless at home and abroad.
He was recognised more as a singer than a baul.
In his long musical career spanning over five decades, Abdur Rhman Boyati released around 500 solo albums and 200 albums with others.
After independence, iconic filmmaker Khan Ataur Rahman introduced Rahman Boyati to playback singing.
And Rahman Boyati lent his voice in hundreds of Bangla films.
Abdur Rahman Boyati also sang for Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television.
In 1982, Abdur Rahman Boyati formed his own troupe, Abdur Rahman’s Group.
The iconic folk singer and lyricist performed in concerts almost everywhere in the country.
He also gave live performances in around 40 foreign countries including USA, UK, former Soviet Union, China, Japan, Austria, Canada, India, and Australia.
Perhaps he was the only Bangladeshi singer who got the rare invitation to perform at White House in 1990.
He was invited by US president the senior George W Bush in 1990.
In the closing years of his life he suffered a lot due to financial hardship.
He found it difficult to meet the expenses for the treatment he needed for the serious neurological and urological problems he suffered.
Fellow singers called it an irony that the people who entertain others die uncared for after suffering a lot.
‘We could not help him,’ lamented Sammilito Sanskritik Jote president Nasiruddin Yusuff.
Composer Sejeo Shyam said he considers it a sad reality in this country.
‘Everyone shows interest only after the death of an artiste, but one never gets the needed support during one’s lifetime,’ he said.
‘It happens for most singers and Rahman Boyati was no exception,’ he said.
Chashi Nazrul Islam echoed saying, ‘’It’s true that the state honours the brilliant people but it’s equally cruel that the state does not care when they suffer in their old age.’
-With New Age input
