Andrew Kishore no more

Eight-time National Film Award-winning playback singer Andrew Kishore has passed away.  

He breathed his last at his sister’s clinic in Rajshahi at 6:55pm on Monday.

The singer was suffering from Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer that originates in the lymphatic system, along with kidney and hormone related disease.

Momen Biswas, a close aide to Kishore, confirmed the death to Jago News. 

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. 

In 1977, Kishore came to Dhaka to participate in a talent hunt project initiated by Shahidul Islam, the then director of Transcription Service of Bangladesh Betar. At the programme, he rendered the song Soheli O Soheli, composed by Debu Bhattacherjee. 

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 A.H.M. Rafique, 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”.

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).