Binodon Desk:

Legendary singer Andrew Kishore will be laid to eternal rest on July 15 beside his mother’s grave at Christian cemetery at Sreerampur area in Rajshahi.

Confirming the news, his brother-in-law Dr Patrick Bipul Biswas said that Andrew Kishore’s expatriate son and daughter will return from Australia on July 8 and July 13 respectively, and his funeral will be held after they arrive.

The body of the renowned singer will be taken to the Central Shaheed Minar of Rajshahi University at around 11:00 am on July 15 so that people could pay their last tributes to him.

Andrew Kishore, who had been suffering from cancer for a long time, passed away at a clinic in Rajshahi city on Monday. He was 65.

The singer’s body has been kept at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.

Born in Rajshahi, Andrew Kishore debuted in playback singing in the film Mail Train (1977) where he sang ‘Ochinpurer Rajkumari Nei Je Tar Keu’, composed by Saley Alam Khan.

Introduced by AHM Rafique, Andrew Kishore made his breakthrough by the song ‘Ek Chor Jay Choley’ from the film Protikkha, composed by Alam Khan. His notable songs include ‘Jiboner Golpo Achhe Baki Olpo’, ‘Dak Diyachhen Doyal Amare’, ‘Haire Manush Rongin Fanush’, ‘Amar Shara Deho Kheyo Go Mati’, ‘Amar Buker Moddhe Khane’, ‘Amar Babar Mukhe Prothom Jedin Shunechilam Gan’, ‘Bhengeche Pinjor Meleche Dana’, and ‘Shobai To Bhalobasha Chae’.

Andrew Kishore won Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer eight times for the films Boro Bhalo Lok Chhilo (1982), Surrender (1987), Khotipuron (1989), Padma Meghna Jamuna (1991), Kabul (1996), Aaj Gaye Holud (2000), Saajghor (2007) and Ki Jadu Korila (2008).

Andrew Kishore studied at the University of Rajshahi. He started taking music lessons at the age of six under Abdul Aziz Bachchu, the then chief music director of Rajshahi Betar.

After the 1971 Liberation War, he was enlisted in the radio in Nazrul, Tagore, modern, folk and patriotic songs categories.