Shawdesh desk:

Today is the fourth anniversary of the death of Ekushey Padak-winning singer Subir Nandi, whose contribution to Bangla songs made him a household name, affecting the way how music lovers perceive songs and singing in the post-independence Bangladesh.

On November 30, 1953, Subir Nandi was born at Teliapara Tea Estate in Habiganj. Subir and his nine siblings learnt music from Ustad Babar Ali Khan. He recorded his first song in 1972, which was written by Mohammad Mozakker and composed by Ustad Mir Kasem Ali Khan.

Subir claimed to have sung 2,000 playback songs, the second-highest by any male singer after Andrew Kishore.

He also worked with famous composers such as Alauddin Ali, Prodeep Saha, Satya Saha, Somor Das, Sheikh Saadi Khan, Alam Khan and some other younger generation artistes, including Bappa Majumdar, Emon Saha, Showkat Ali Emon, SI Tutul and Habib Wahid.

He lent his voice to many acclaimed songs, including Bandhu Hote Cheye, Koto Je Tomake, Ami Brishtir Kachh Theke, Hajar Moner Kachhe, Aynate Oi Mukh, Din Jay Katha Thake, Tomare Legechhe Eto Je Bhalo, Paharer Kanna, Tomari Parashe, Ei Raat Dake, Tumi Emoni Jaal Petechho Sangsare and others.

He passed away while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Singapore on May 7, 2019.

His remarkable masterpieces in the 1984 film Mahanayak sealed his status as a living legend as well as helped him clinch the very first National Film Award of his career.

He received National Film Award for five times for best playback singing in the films Mahanayak, Shuvoda, Shraban Megher Din, Megher Pore Megh and Mahua Sundari.

Subir rendered songs at many places in the world. At the height of his career, he rendered songs at the House of Commons in UK in 1994.

His illustrious career earned him the Ekushey Padak, Bangladesh’s second-highest civilian award, in 2019. Among other awards, Subir also received Bachsas award four times respectively in 1977, 1982, 1985 and 1986.