National award winning singer Shammi Akhtar passed away at the age of 60 on Tuesday (Jan 16). Shammi was suffering from cancer for the last six years. She is survived by her husband singer Akramul Islam, a son and a daughter.
Shammi was suffering from cancer for the last six years. On Tuesday, she suddenly fell ill at her Shantinagar residence in Dhaka. She breathed her last while taking to the hospital. She will be buried at Shahjahanpur graveyard on Wednesday, according to local media reports.
Shammi, mostly known for her playback numbers, forayed into music at an early age when her training began under the tutelage of Ustad Gaurbabu in Barisal. Before becoming a playback singer, Shammi sang Nazrul and folk song on radio.
Her career as a playback singer began with Azizur Rahman's 1978 film 'Oshikkhito'. Two of her songs -- Ami Jemon Achhi Temon Robo and Dhaka Shohor Aisha Amar -- earned her instant recognition. Since then, Akhtar has sung over 300 playback numbers including many fan favourites like Mone Boro Asha Chhilo, Bidesh Giya Bondhu, Chithi Dio Pratidin, Bhalobashlei Sobar Sathe Ghar Bandha Jay Na, Amar Moner Bedona and Ami Tomar Bodhu.
Shammi won the National Film Award (playback female) for her rendition of Bhalobashlei Sobar Sathe Ghar Bandha Jay Na in Jakir Hossain Raju’s 2010 film ‘'halobaslei Ghar Bandha Jay Na'.
She has also received the Channel i lifetime achievement award.
