Dhaka, Sept 7 (V7N) – The Ministry of Cultural Affairs, in association with the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, hosted a tribute and solo musical performance for legendary Bangladeshi singer Sabina Yasmin on Sunday evening at the National Theatre Auditorium in Dhaka.

The event began with a welcome address by Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki. The honor was formally presented to Sabina Yasmin by Planning Ministry Adviser Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud. Cabinet Secretary Dr. Sheikh Abdur Rashid and Cultural Affairs Secretary Md. Mofidur Rahman were also present at the ceremony.

The second segment of the evening, titled “Shudhu Gaan Geye Porichoy” (Only Known by Song), featured a documentary film on Sabina Yasmin’s life, tributes from fellow artists, and performances of her songs by emerging singers and music directors. The program concluded with Yasmin herself performing a selection of her most celebrated and popular songs. The event was hosted by renowned actor Afzal Hossain.

Sabina Yasmin, often hailed as the “Nightingale of Bangla Songs,” was born on September 4, 1954, into a culturally inclined family. She received her first musical lessons from her mother. At just six years old, she won first prize at the “All Pakistan School Music Competition.” Soon after, she began lending her voice to films as a child singer.

Over her illustrious career, Yasmin has recorded nearly 16,000 songs, the majority for cinema, alongside modern Bangla songs, folk music, Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrul Geeti, and ghazals. She is a regular performer on Bangladesh Betar (radio) and television and has represented Bangladeshi music on international stages.

Her contributions have earned her widespread recognition. In 1983, the World Development Parliament of India awarded her the title “Sansad Ratna,” followed by an honorary doctorate in 1985. In Bangladesh, she received the prestigious Ekushey Padak in 1984 and the Independence Award in 1996. Uniquely, she holds the record for winning the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer 15 times, making her the most decorated singer in the country’s film industry. She has also received numerous other accolades both at home and abroad.

The evening at Shilpakala Academy highlighted not only her artistic brilliance but also her enduring influence on generations of musicians and audiences alike.

END/AHM/SMA/