Veteran singer Abdul Jabbar no more

Noted singer and freedom fighter Abdul Jabbar passed away after a prolonged illness at a hospital in Dhaka on Wednesday.

He was 79.

He breathed his last at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) at 8.30am, said Vice Chancellor of the university Professor Kamrul Hasan Khan.

He had been at the ICU of BSMMU with chronic renal and cardiac complications since August 1, 2017. Besides, he was also suffering from other ailments like liver problems and heart disease.

Abdul Jabbar with his enthralling renditions inspired freedom fighters and the nation during the country’s Liberation War in 1971.

The artiste of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra also donated money, collected through singing at different concerts, to the Liberation War fund during the war.

Jabbar was awarded the Bangabandhu Padak in 1973, Ekushey Padak in 1980, and Swadhinata Padak in 1996, among numerous other accolades.

“Salam Salam”, “Ore Nil Doriya”, “Joy Bangla, Banglar Joy” and “Tumi Ki Dekhechho Kobhu” are among the best of his songs.

Jabbar was born in Kushtia on November 7, 1938. He first took music lessons from Ustad Osman Gani and Ustad Lutful Haque. He became an enlisted singer of radio in 1958 and television in 1964.